Vegetarian Diets and Their Effect on n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Status in Humans: Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Human Health
• Dietary Studies

Background:

• Vegetarian diets restrict animal products, potentially causing nutrient deficiencies.
• n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly from fish, are crucial for health.
• Critical periods like pregnancy and growth are vulnerable to PUFA imbalances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the impact of vegetarian diets on n-6 and n-3 PUFA status in humans.
• To focus on critical developmental stages, including pregnancy and childhood growth.
• To identify potential strategies for mitigating PUFA deficiencies in vegetarian populations.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies published up to 2023.
• Searched PubMed, Springer, and ScienceDirect databases.
• Included studies with defined vegetarian diet types and PUFA measurements; excluded reviews and meta-analyses.

Main Results:

• Vegetarian diets increased linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake.
• Significantly reduced concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were observed, especially in vegan diets.
• Microalgae oil supplementation effectively improved serum DHA, particularly during pregnancy and lactation.

Conclusions:

• Vegetarian diets alter PUFA profiles, leading to lower EPA and DHA levels.
• Dietary planning and supplementation are essential to prevent deficiencies during critical life stages.
• Microalgae-derived DHA shows promise for improving status in pregnant and lactating individuals.