Habitual diets rich in dark-green vegetables are associated with an increased response to ω-3 fatty acid supplementation in Americans of African ancestry

J Nutr. 2014 Feb;144(2):123-31. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.181875. Epub 2013 Nov 20.

Abstract

Although substantial variation exists in individual responses to omega-3 (ω-3) (n-3) fatty acid supplementation, the causes for differences in response are largely unknown. Here we investigated the associations between the efficacy of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation and a broad range of nutritional and clinical factors collected during a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in participants of African ancestry, randomly assigned to receive either 2 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + 1 g docosahexaenoic acid (n = 41) or corn/soybean oil placebo (n = 42) supplements for 6 wk. Food-frequency questionnaires were administered, and changes in erythrocyte lipids, lipoproteins, and monocyte 5-lipoxygenase-dependent metabolism were measured before and after supplementation. Mixed-mode linear regression modeling identified high (n = 28) and low (n = 13) ω-3 fatty acid response groups on the basis of changes in erythrocyte EPA abundance (P < 0.001). Compliance was equivalent (∼88%), whereas decreases in plasma triglycerides and VLDL particle sizes and reductions in stimulated monocyte leukotriene B4 production were larger in the high-response group. Although total diet quality scores were similar, the low-response group showed lower estimated 2005 Healthy Eating Index subscores for dark-green and orange vegetables and legumes (P = 0.01) and a lower intake of vegetables (P = 0.02), particularly dark-green vegetables (P = 0.002). Because the findings reported here are associative in nature, prospective studies are needed to determine if dietary dark-green vegetables or nutrients contained in these foods can enhance the efficacy of ω-3 fatty acid supplements. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00536185.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / blood
  • Black or African American*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / ethnology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Cholesterol, VLDL / blood
  • Diet* / standards
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / blood
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology
  • Energy Intake
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / blood
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukotriene B4 / biosynthesis
  • Linear Models
  • Lipoproteins / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Patient Compliance
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vegetables*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, VLDL
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Lipoproteins
  • Triglycerides
  • Leukotriene B4
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00536185