Why and How Meet n-3 PUFA Dietary Recommendations?

Abstract

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are systemic inflammatory diseases reaching epidemic proportions. Contemporary changes in human nutrition occurred characterized by increased consumption of fat and of vegetable oils rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) together with decrease in n-3 PUFA-rich foods, resulting in an n-6/n-3 ratio of 10-20/1 in Western diet for a ratio around 1/1 in the diet of our ancestors. The literature provides compelling evidence for the health benefit of n-3 PUFA consumption on inflammation and metabolic syndrome prevention and treatment. Such evidence led to the establishment of comprehensive recommendations. However, we show here that, both in collective catering proposed to children and in hospital diet, it is not straightforward to meet such recommendations. Willingness of governments to institute changes, with accountable decisions on catering, nutritional education, and food processing, is required to face our neglected responsibility in promoting balanced diet and consumption of foods rich in essential nutrients in the general population.

Figure 1

Evolution of Occidental dietary content in specific macronutrients and prevalence of obesity and diabetes in United States. Compiled from [–13]; FAO, AGROSTAT.PC, 1993; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health Interview Statistics, data from the National Health Interview Survey; French National Epidemiological Study on Overweight and Obesity: ObEpi-Roche 2009.

Figure 2

Evolution of fatty acids consumption in European Union. Adapted from [13].

Figure 3

Metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their signaling molecules. Adapted from [–43]. The 3D plasma layer image was modified from the one provided by Mélanie Villeneuve, La cellule animale, CCDMD, 2008 (http://www.ccdmd.qc.ca/ri/cellule/index.php?nh=18).