(PO07-32-22) Dietary and Non-Dietary Determinants Associated with Changes in Red Blood Cell Omega-3-Essential Fatty Acids and Serum Lutein Status in a Selected Adult Population

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Presenting Author(s)

Kingsley A.N Kalu, MPH(Human Nutrition)
– PhD Student, University of New South Wales, Sydney - Australia, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia

Co-Author(s)

CM

Charles A. McMonnies, DSc (Vision Science)
– University of New South Wales, Sydney - Australia
JA

Jayashree Arcot, PhD
– Associate Professor, Food and Health Cluster, School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Disclosure(s):

Kingsley A.N Kalu, MPH(Human Nutrition): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: The role of omega-3-essential fatty acids (EFA) in addition to lutein and zeaxanthin in preventing age-related macular degeneration remains unclear. This study assessed factors (dietary and non-dietary) associated with changes in red blood cell membrane (RBCM) omega-3 and serum lutein (L) status in a selected adult population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 33 healthy adults aged 19-29 and 30-52 years. Background (online self-administered) and dietary (Cancer Council’s dietary questionnaire) information were obtained. Serum L and RBCM omega-3 status were determined using HPLC and GC-MS. Determinants associated with changes in RBCM omega-3 and serum L status were established using multiple regression, Pearson’s, and Spearman’s correlation.

Results: Mean RBCM omega-3-EFA and EPA/AA ratio were 9.08±4.09% and 0.09±0.03% respectively. Sixty percent of study participants had normal RBCM omega-3-EFA status. Men consumed more omega-3-EFA rich sources in their diet than women (10.06±5.02% vs 6.89±2.02%) (p=0.02). Participants aged 30 -52 years had higher but not significant mean RBCM omega-3-EFA levels compared to those aged 19-29 years (8.64±3.58% vs 8.02±4.38%). Canola oil and other seafoods (excluding fish) were the major rich sources of omega-3-EFA which showed an association with participants’ educational status (p=0.01). Longer residency status ( > 10 years) was associated with dietary intakes of omega-3-EFA and reflected in most participants achieving the required omega-3-status (p=0.04). RBCM omega-3-EFA correlated (r= -0.37, p=0.04) with dietary lutein (L) + zeaxanthin (Z) and other seafoods (r = 0.43, p = 0.01). Other seafoods and EPA/AA ratio were responsible for observed changes in serum L.

Conclusions: Other seafoods, levels of EPA/AA ratio and longer residency status can positively influence changes in omega-3 and serum L status among healthy Australian adults at risk of AMD.

Funding Sources: No funding sources