Omega-3 world map

2024 update

authored by

Jan Philipp Schuchardt, Philine Beinhorn, Xue Feng Hu, Hing Man Chan, Kaitlin Roke, Aldo Bernasconi, Andreas Hahn, Aleix Sala-Vila, Ken D Stark, William S Harris

Abstract

In 2016, the first worldwide n3 PUFA status map was published using the Omega-3 Index (O3I) as standard biomarker. The O3I is defined as the percentage of EPA + DHA in red blood cell (RBC) membrane FAs. The purpose of the present study was to update the 2016 map with new data. In order to be included, studies had to report O3I and/or blood EPA + DHA levels in metrics convertible into an estimated O3I, in samples drawn after 1999. To convert the non-RBC-based EPA + DHA metrics into RBC we used newly developed equations. Baseline data from clinical trials and observational studies were acceptable. A literature search identified 328 studies meeting inclusion criteria encompassing 342,864 subjects from 48 countries/regions. Weighted mean country O3I levels were categorized into very low ≤4%, low >4-6%, moderate >6-8%, and desirable >8%. We found that the O3I in most countries was low to very low. Notable differences between the current and 2016 map were 1) USA, Canada, Italy, Turkey, UK, Ireland and Greece (moving from the very low to low category); 2) France, Spain and New Zealand (low to moderate); and 3) Finland and Iceland (moderate to desirable). Countries such as Iran, Egypt, and India exhibited particularly poor O3I levels.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Food and One Health
Nutrition Section
Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section

External Organisation(s)

Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI)
University of Ottawa
Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED)
University of Waterloo
University of South Dakota

Type

Review article

Journal

Progress in lipid research

Volume

95

ISSN

0079-6832

Publication date

07.2024

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biochemistry, Cell Biology

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2024.101286 (Access: Open)