Dietary intake and adipose tissue level of specific fatty acids in a selected group from the Lower Silesia population

g/day. Some eastern European countries, like Bulgaria, did not experience an improvement in cardiovascular mortality in the same time period. The most widely used oil in Bulgaria is sunflower oil. Sunflower and rapeseed oils differ significantly in content of the alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Potential biological effects of ALA include inhibition of platelet aggregation, lowering of blood pressure, and improvement of lipid profile and anti arrhythmic activity. However, to ensure the beneficial effects of n3 fatty acids, the appropriate balance between n6 and n3 fatty acids must be kept. The aim of this study was to assess the content of certain fatty acids, especially ALA in diet and adipose tissue, in a selected group of the population of Lower Silesia in Poland. A low percentage of energy from PUFA, high n6 to n3 fatty acid ratio, and high cholesterol intake, were observed in this study.  Data showed a high SFA intake in men and women, in both the urban and rural areas, and an insufficient consumption of n3 fatty acids according to Polish recommendations in urban inhabitants. Urban men consumed, on average, 1.5 g/day of ALA and urban women consumed 1.6 g/day of ALA, while the recommended amount is 2 g/day. The mean adipose tissue content of ALA in the presented study was 0.96 percent. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was a good biomarker of fat intake, especially PUFA, n3 and trans fatty acids among postmenopausal US women. Availability of vegetable oils (especially rapeseed and sunflower oils) and fish increased. However, results of the presented study could suggest that despite favourable dietary changes in Poland, the consumption of food products that are sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially n3 fatty acids, is still insufficient. An n6 fatty acids to n3 fatty acids ratio higher than 5:1, especially in the diets of urban inhabitants was found. The average content of alpha linolenic acid and EPA DHA in diets of urban inhabitants was below Polish Nutritional Guidelines. Increased consumption of fish rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and oils rich in alpha linolenic acid, e.g. rapeseed oil, would increase the intake of these compounds, especially among urban inhabitants, and decrease risk of CVD and other diseases in the study group. In the present study, a positive correlation between the level of fatty acids in adipose tissue and dietary fatty acid intake was observed only for EPA among rural men, and in the all study population for SFA and PUFA n3. Therefore, further studies (especially with larger study groups) are necessary to explain the relationship between dietary intake and adipose tissue composition. (Editors comments)