Researchers from Canada, Germany, Spain and the USA sought to replace a 2016 global map that highlighted important variation in O3I ranges, with most international locations having less-than-desirable ranges.
The overview printed in Progress in Lipid Analysis assessed blood samples taken between 2000 and 2023.
The outcomes of the brand new analysis underscore the necessity for continued analysis on international omega-3 ranges and encourage collaboration between researchers and business stakeholders, which might result in improvements in omega-3 formulations and higher alignment with shopper preferences.
In keeping with information from GOED offered for NutraIngredients, the worldwide quantity of omega-3 substances reached 124,480 metric tons in 2023, a 1.4% improve from 2022. The market value rose to over $2 billion, a 22.5% improve from near $1.7 billion the earlier 12 months.
Research particulars
The authors used O3I, which measures EPA and DHA in crimson blood cells (RBCs), as a threat issue for coronary coronary heart illness mortality. An O3I over 8% is taken into account optimum, 4% to eight% intermediate and beneath 4% is related to excessive threat.
The researchers performed a literature search utilizing the GOED Scientific Research Database and PubMed. The search targeted on unique analysis, particularly observational research (OS) and randomized managed trials (RCTs).
The researchers extracted demographic information and EPA/DHA ranges from eligible research, which required the examine be printed in English and concerned individuals over the age of 16.
The authors additionally solely included analysis the place EPA and DHA ranges have been reported in sure blood fractions: complete blood (WB), crimson blood cells (RBC), plasma whole lipids (PTL), plasma phospholipids (PPL) or plasma phosphatidylcholine (PPC). Blood samples needed to be collected within the 12 months 2000 or later.
The ultimate evaluation included 328 research. Nations have been categorized into 4 ranges based mostly on O3I values: fascinating (>8%), average (6%-8%), low (4%-6%) and really low (≤4%). Particular areas with distinct diets (e.g., indigenous populations) have been handled individually and coloured independently on the map.
Nearly half of the individuals within the examine got here from North America (49%), principally from the USA, adopted by Europe with 43%. Consequently, 92% of the information for the n3 map got here from solely about 15% of the world’s international locations.
Areas like Asia, Africa and Central and South America contributed lower than 10% of the research. Central and South America, Africa, Japanese Europe, and West and Southeast Asia have been considerably underrepresented.
In South America, solely Brazil offered information, and in Africa, information got here from simply Tunisia, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa. Russia lacked sufficient information to be categorized. Solely Japan, China, France, the UK, Canada and the USA had O3I information based mostly on greater than 5,000 people.
In 15 international locations, information got here from 1,000 to five,000 people, whereas 30 international locations had fewer than 1,000, together with 14 with fewer than 200. Consultant inhabitants surveys have been out there just for Canada and the USA.
By way of blood pattern sorts used, EPA and DHA have been mostly measured in crimson blood cells (57% of research), adopted by plasma whole lipids (27%) and plasma phospholipids (13%).
O3I ranges assorted broadly throughout international locations. A fascinating O3I (above 8%) was present in Japan, South Korea, Iceland and Norway, whereas a really low O3I (4% or decrease) appeared in Iran, Egypt, India and Brazil. Most international locations, together with these in North America and Europe, had low to average O3I ranges.
Variations between the 2024 and 2016 maps
The 2024 map options 342,864 topics from 48 international locations, in comparison with 112,151 topics from 54 international locations in 2016.
Key adjustments in O3I embrace: United States, Canada, Italy, Turkey, United Kingdom, Eire and Greece improved from crimson to orange; France, Spain and New Zealand moved from orange to yellow; and Finland and Iceland progressed from yellow to inexperienced.
The inclusion of recent datasets was the first purpose for adjustments in O3I, significantly in the USA, Canada and the UK, based on the researchers.
Giant-scale research that weren’t included in 2016 considerably impacted the present O3I values. For instance, information from the UK Biobank shifted the UK’s O3I from crimson to orange.
Nigeria, nonetheless, noticed a decline, shifting from inexperienced to orange resulting from new information. It’s unsure if the adjustments have been resulting from precise inhabitants shifts in omega-3 consumption, elevated complement use or adjustments within the studied populations, the authors wrote.
To boost O3I from 4% to eight%, a further every day consumption of about 1.4 g of EPA and DHA is required. This may be achieved by elevated consumption of oily fish or omega-3 dietary supplements.
Journal: Progress in Lipid Analysis
“Omega-3 world map: 2024 replace.”
doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2024.101286
Authors: Schuchardt, J, P. et al.
