Dietary intake and status of n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in a population of fish eating and non fish eating meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans and the precursor product …

Background: Intakes of n–3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important for health. Because fish is the major source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), non-fish-eaters may have suboptimal n–3 PUFA status, although the importance of the conversion of plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) to EPA and DHA is debated. Objective: The objective was to determine intakes, food sources, and status of n–3 PUFAs according to dietary habit (fish-eaters and non-fish-eating meat-eaters, vegetarians, or vegans) and estimated conversion between dietary ALA and circulating long-chain n–3 PUFAs. Design: This study included 14,422 men and women aged 39–78 y from the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition)-Norfolk cohort with 7-d diary data and a substudy in 4902 individuals with plasma phospholipid fatty acid …