Lack of effect of foods enriched with plant- or marine-derived n-3 fatty acids on human immune function

Samantha Kew, Tapati Banerjee, Anne-Marie Minihane, Yvonne E. Finnegan, Reto Muggli, Ruud Albers, Christine M. Williams, Philip C. Calder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

143 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Greatly increasing dietary flaxseed oil [rich in the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] or fish oil [rich in the long-chain n-3 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids] can reduce markers of immune cell function. The effects of more modest doses are unclear, and it is not known whether ALA has the same effects as its long-chain derivatives.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1287-1295
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume77
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2003

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cytokines
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Female
  • Fish Oils
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear
  • Linseed Oil
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutrophils
  • Phagocytosis
  • Phospholipids
  • Respiratory Burst
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid

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