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Does dietary linolenic acid influence blood pressure?
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Long-term dietary intake of linolenic acid (18:3 n-3), a polyunsaturated fat, significantly lowers blood pressure (BP). This finding suggests n-3 fatty acids may help prevent and treat hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Dietary Fatty Acids
Background:
- Short-term studies indicate polyunsaturated fats reduce blood pressure.
- Long-term effects of dietary fat composition on blood pressure require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the long-term association between adipose tissue fatty acid composition and blood pressure in free-living men.
- To identify specific fatty acids influencing blood pressure over time.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of adipose tissue fatty acid composition in 399 free-living males (average age 47).
- Stepwise-regression analysis to correlate fatty acid levels with blood pressure (BP).
Main Results:
- Adipose linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) showed no association with BP.
- A 1% increase in linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) correlated with a 5 mm Hg decrease in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP.
- Linolenic acid, despite lower dietary prevalence than linoleic acid, had a disproportionate impact on BP.
Conclusions:
- Dietary linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) is strongly associated with lower long-term blood pressure.
- The hypotensive effect may involve prostaglandin production or other vasoregulatory mechanisms.
- Dietary modification focusing on n-3 fatty acids shows promise for hypertension prevention and management.