![[Feedback]](/icons/banner/feedbackACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[For Subscribers]](/icons/banner/subscriberACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[Archive]](/icons/banner/archiveACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[Search]](/icons/banner/searchACT.gif){kind=icon}
![[Contents]](/icons/banner/tocACT.gif){kind=icon}
|
|
|
|
|
||
-Linolenic Acid Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Fatal Coronary Heart Disease, but Increased Prostate Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis1,2
Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences, Wageningen, the Netherlands and Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
3To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed. E-mail: ingeborg.brouwer{at}wur.nl.
The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate quantitatively the associations between intake of 
-linolenic acid [ALA, the (n-3) fatty acid in vegetable oils], mortality from heart disease, and the occurrence of prostate cancer in observational studies. We identified 5 prospective cohort studies that reported intake of ALA and mortality from heart disease. We also reviewed data from 3 clinical trials on ALA intake and heart disease. In addition, we identified 9 cohort and case-control studies that reported on the association between ALA intake or blood levels and incidence or prevalence of prostate cancer. We combined risk estimates across studies using a random-effects model. High ALA intake was associated with reduced risk of fatal heart disease in prospective cohort studies (combined relative risk 0.79, 95% CI 0.60–1.04). Three open-label trials also indicated that ALA may protect against heart disease. However, epidemiologic studies also showed an increased risk of prostate cancer in men with a high intake or blood level of ALA (combined relative risk 1.70; 95% CI 1.12–2.58). This meta-analysis shows that consumption of ALA might reduce heart disease mortality. However, the association between high intake of ALA and prostate cancer is of concern and warrants further study.
KEY WORDS: • linolenic acid • (n-3) fatty acids • cardiovascular • prostate cancer • meta-analysis
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  N. K. Gabler and M. E. Spurlock Integrating the immune system with the regulation of growth and efficiency J Anim Sci, April 1, 2008; 86(14_suppl): E64 - E74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. London, C. Albert, M. E. Anderson, W. R. Giles, D. R. Van Wagoner, E. Balk, G. E. Billman, M. Chung, W. Lands, A. Leaf, et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiac Arrhythmias: Prior Studies and Recommendations for Future Research: A Report from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Office of Dietary Supplements Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Role in Cardiac Arrhythmogenesis Workshop Circulation, September 4, 2007; 116(10): e320 - e335. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. A. Simon, J. S. Tanzman, and J. Sabate Lack of Effect of Walnuts on Serum Levels of Prostate Specific Antigen: A Brief Report J. Am. Coll. Nutr., August 1, 2007; 26(4): 317 - 320. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. T. Erkkila, N. R. Matthan, D. M. Herrington, and A. H. Lichtenstein Higher plasma docosahexaenoic acid is associated with reduced progression of coronary atherosclerosis in women with CAD J. Lipid Res., December 1, 2006; 47(12): 2814 - 2819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Wang, W. S Harris, M. Chung, A. H Lichtenstein, E. M Balk, B. Kupelnick, H. S Jordan, and J. Lau n-3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not {alpha}-linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2006; 84(1): 5 - 17. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. K Gebauer, T. L Psota, W. S Harris, and P. M Kris-Etherton n-3 Fatty acid dietary recommendations and food sources to achieve essentiality and cardiovascular benefits Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2006; 83(6): S1526 - 1535S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. M. Albert, K. Oh, W. Whang, J. E. Manson, C. U. Chae, M. J. Stampfer, W. C. Willett, and F. B. Hu Dietary {alpha}-Linolenic Acid Intake and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death and Coronary Heart Disease Circulation, November 22, 2005; 112(21): 3232 - 3238. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. S. Harris Alpha-Linolenic Acid: A Gift From the Land? Circulation, June 7, 2005; 111(22): 2872 - 2874. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. de Lorgeril and P. Salen {alpha}-Linolenic Acid, Coronary Heart Disease, and Prostate Cancer J. Nutr., December 1, 2004; 134(12): 3385 - 3385. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. A. Brouwer, M. B. Katan, and P. L. Zock Reply to de Lorgeril and Salen J. Nutr., December 1, 2004; 134(12): 3386 - 3386. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
