Plasma Phospholipid Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Freshwater Fish Consumption in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Background: Amazonianriverside communities consume large quantities of freshwater fish, comparable to marine fish consumptionof Inuit, Scandinavian and Japanese populations. Few studies have consideredthe relation of high freshwater fish consumption and intake of omega-3 fattyacids (FA). Objective: The objectiveof the present study was to determine the profile of the concentrations ofplasma phospholipid FAs and its relation with freshwater fishintake in 12 riverside communities in the Tapajós River basin (State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon). Design: Thiscross-sectional study included 333 adults (15 - 86 years old). Fish meal frequency wasdetermined using a 7-day interview-administered dietary recallquestionnaire. Fish were categorized aspiscivorous and non-piscivorous fish on trophic level. Plasma phospholipid FAs weremeasured by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Results: Participants consumed 5 to 6 fish meals a week,with twice as many non-piscivorous fish than piscivorous fish (4.4 fish/week vs2.2 fish/week, respectively). The omega-3 FA levels in plasma phospholipids werelow (EPA + DHA = 31.21 mg/L; %EPA + DHA = 2.59%). Omega-3 FAs increased withfrequency of fish intake, and particularly with piscivorous fish, controlling for sociodemographic,anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics. DHA levels were greaterin women than in men. Conclusions: Omega-3 FA in this Amazonian populationincreased with fish consumption, but although they consumed freshwater fishalmost daily, the concentrations of omega-3 FA were relatively low andcomparable to fish-eater communities for which fish is not a dietary mainstay.It is possible that nutrients present in marine, but not in certain freshwaterfish species, may facilitate absorption of omega-3 FA. Sex and/or gender differencesmust be taken into account when assessing the relationship between fishconsumption and plasma phospholipid omega-3 FA levels.