scholarly journals Genetic Variation, Diet, Inflammation, and the Risk for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Artemis P. Simopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Multiorgan Failure ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽  
Omega 6

COVID-19, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2, is characterized by various symptoms, ranging from mild fatigue to life-threatening pneumonia, “cytokine storm,” and multiorgan failure. The manifestation of COVID-19 may lead to a cytokine storm, i.e., it facilitates viral replication that triggers a strong release of cytokines, which then modulates the immune system and results in hyperinflammation. Today’s diet is high in omega-6 fatty acids and deficient in omega-3 fatty acids; this, along with a high fructose intake, leads to obesity, which is a chronic state of low-grade inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids are proinflammatory and prothrombotic whereas omega-3 fatty acids are less proinflammatory and thrombotic. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids make specialized lipid mediators, namely resolvins, protectins, and maresins, that are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Throughout evolution there was a balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids with a ratio of 1–2/1 omega-6/omega-3, but today this ratio is 16–20/1 omega-6/omega-3, leading to a proinflammatory state. In addition, genetic variants in FADS1, FADS2, ELOV-2, and ELOV-5 lead to a more efficient biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), e.g., of linoleic acid (LA) to arachidonic acid (ARA), and (alpha-linolenic acid) (ALA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), leading to higher ARA levels. Because the US diet is already high in omega-6 fatty acids, the increased biosynthesis of ARA in people with the derived FADS haplotype (haplotype D) leads to an increased production of leukotrienes, thromboxanes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and eventually elevated levels of cytokines, like interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which may increase susceptibility to COVID-19. About 80% of African Americans, 50% of Hispanics, and 45% of European Americans have the FADS haplotype D and are thus efficient metabolizers, which could account for the higher vulnerability of these populations to COVID-19. Therefore, another reason that African Americans and Hispanics are more susceptible to COVID-19 is that they have a higher frequency of haplotype D, which is no longer beneficial in today’s environment and diet. Genetic variation must be considered in all studies of disease development and therapy because it is important to the practice of precision nutrition by physicians and other health professionals. The objective of this commentary is to emphasize the importance of genetic variation within populations and its interaction with diet in the development of disease. Differences in the frequency of genes and their interactions with nutrients in various population groups must be considered among the factors contributing to health disparities in the development of COVID-19. A balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio is essential to health. Physicians should measure their patients’ fatty acids and recommend decreasing the intake of foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids and increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids along with fruits and vegetables.

scholarly journals The Fatty Acid Profile in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes: Why It Could Be Unsuspected

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Castro-Correia ◽  
S. Sousa ◽  
S. Norberto ◽  
C. Matos ◽  
V. F. Domingues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽  
Diabetes Group ◽  
Diabetic Children ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
Diagnosed Diabetes

Context. Several studies have shown a link between proinflammatory activity and the presence or deficit of some fatty acids. Inflammation is associated with several diseases including diabetes.Objective. To characterize and compare the fatty acids profiles in children with inaugural type 1 diabetes, diabetic children (at least 1 year after diagnosis), and healthy children.Design. Plasma fatty acids profiles in children with inaugural diabetes, children with noninaugural diabetes, and controls, all of whom were prepubescent with a BMI < 85th percentile, were evaluated.Results. Omega-3 fatty acid levels were higher in recently diagnosed subjects with diabetes than in controls. The ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids was higher in the control population. Omega-6 fatty acid levels were higher in the nonrecent diabetic subjects than in the children with recently diagnosed diabetes, and the levels were higher in the nonrecent diabetes group compared to the control group.Conclusion. Our findings showed higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA, as well as mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, in diabetic children. These findings reinforce the importance of precocious nutritional attention and intervention in the treatment of diabetic children.

scholarly journals Perilla frutescens: a potential ingredient for the enhancement of white bread as a source of Omega-3

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
Marcos Vieira da Silva ◽  
Andréia Vieira da Silva ◽  
Elton Guntendorfer Bonafé ◽  
Nilson Evelázio de Souza ◽  
Jesuí Vergílio Visentainer
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Perilla Frutescens ◽  
White Bread ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Sensorial Attributes

Perilla frutescens seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which are important for human health. Intake of fatty acids depends on their presence in popular foods such as white bread. Current study evaluates the replacement of wheat flour by whole perilla at 1, 3 and 5% in white bread processing and its impacts on chemical and sensorial attributes, underscoring Omega-3 amounts. The use of whole perilla increases the Omega-3 content in white bread, balances the ratio n-6/n-3, decreases the specific volume, and maintains the concentration of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The formulation with 1% whole perilla has a better acceptability and supplies 5.63 and 8.19% of the American recommended daily intake of alpha-linolenic acid for adult males and females, respectively. 

scholarly journals Erythrocyte omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acids in relation to risk of preeclampsia among women delivering at harare maternity hospital, Zimbabwe

2007 ◽  
pp. 37-50
Author(s):  
K Mahomed ◽  
MA Williams ◽  
IB King ◽  
S Mudzamiri ◽  
GB Woelk
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Trans Fatty Acids ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
3 Omega ◽  
Risk Of Preeclampsia

We sought to examine the association between maternal erythrocyte omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acids and risk of preeclampsia. We conducted a case-control study of 170 women with proteinuric, pregnancy-induced hypertension and 185 normotensive pregnant women who delivered at Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe. We measured erythrocyte omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acid as the percentage of total fatty acids using gas chromatography. After multivariate adjustment for confounding factors, women in the highest quartile group for total omega-3 fatty acids compared with women in the lowest quartile experienced a 14% reduction in risk of preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 1.63). For total omega-6 fatty acids the odds ratio was 0.46 (95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.92), although there was suggestion of a slight increase in risk of preeclampsia associated with high levels of arachidonic acid. Among women in the highest quartile for arachidonic acid the odds ratio was 1.29 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 2.54). A strong statistically significant positive association of diunsaturated fatty acids with a trans double bond with risk of preeclampsia was observed. Women in the upper quartile of 9-cis 12-trans octadecanoic acid (C(18:2n6ct)) compared with those in the lowest quartile experienced a 3-fold higher risk of preeclampsia (odds ratio = 3.02, 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 6.45). Among women in the highest quartile for 9-trans 12-cis octadecanoic acid (C(18:2n6tc)) the odds ratio was 3.32 (95% confidence interval 1.55 to 7.13). Monounsaturated trans fatty acids were also positively associated with the risk of preeclampsia, although of much reduced magnitude. We observed a strong positive association of trans fatty acids, particularly diunsaturated trans fatty acids, with the risk of preeclampsia. We found little support for the hypothesized inverse association between omega-3 fatty acids and preeclampsia risk in this population. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, were comparatively lower in Zimbabwean than among US pregnant women. Given the limited inter-person variation in omega-3 fatty acids among Zimbabwean women, our sample size may be too small to adequately assess the relation in this population.

scholarly journals 139 Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics: Nutrient-gene interactions in humans and animals

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 134-135
Author(s):  
Artemis P Simopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Genetic Variant ◽  
Fatty Acid Desaturase ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Omega 6

Abstract Human beings evolved on a diet that was balanced in the omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids to which their genes were programmed to respond. Studies on gene-nutrient interactions using methods from molecular biology and genetics have clearly shown that there are genetic differences in the population, as well as differences in the frequency of genetic variations that interact with diet and influence the growth and development of humans and animals, as well as overall health and chronic disease. Nutrigenetics refers to studies on the role of genetic variants and their response to diet. For example, persons with genetic variants in the metabolism of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have different levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) based on the type of genetic variant in the Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) and Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FADS2). At the same level of linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) a person with a genetic variant that increases the activity of the FADS1 will have a higher AA in the red cell membrane phospholipids and a higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Nutrigenomics refers to how nutrients (diets) influence the expression of genes. For example, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA decrease the expression of inflammatory genes and as a result decrease the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Thus, through studies on Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics nutritional science stands at its “golden threshold” where personalized nutrition is the future, to improve an individual’s health.

scholarly journals PSV-39 Fatty acids profile of the meat from Nellore young bulls supplemented with lauric acid

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 339-340
Author(s):  
Sergiane A Araújo ◽  
Ronaldo L Oliveira ◽  
Analívia M Barbosa ◽  
Aline R Silva ◽  
Rebeca D X Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Lauric Acid ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Fatty Acids Profile ◽  
Coronary Diseases ◽  
Total Diet ◽  
Omega 6

Abstract Lauric acid (LA) is an additive used in ruminant’s diet with the purpose of mitigating the methane effect. However, the presence of a certain amount of LA in the rumen can cause a reduction in the microbial population and ruminal metabolic processes, such as the biohydrogenation. This study aimed evaluate the effect of the LA inclusion in the diet of Nellore on the fatty acids profile of the meat. Thirty-two young Nellore bulls were used with an average age of 24-months. The animals were individually fed with a total mixed ration with 40% of roughage (Cynodon sp. hay) and 60% of concentrated mix, composed with ground corn, soybean meal, urea, mineral premix and LA in 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5% of inclusion in the total diet dry matter basis. Those amounts constituted the treatments. At the end of the trial, the animals were slaughtered and the meat was stored at -21oC, before analyses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and eight replications. The data were submitted to regression analysis, and significance was declared when P &lt; 0.05. There was no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of the inclusion of LA in the sum of saturated fatty acids (∑SAF=43.45±1.55), monounsaturated fatty acids (∑MUFA=41.9±0.29), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑PUFA=12.25±1.40). The inclusion of LA in the diets also did not affect the sum of omega-3 fatty acids (∑ n-3=1.05±0.22), omega-6 fatty acids (∑ n-6=3.02±0.49, and the reason n-6: n-3 (2.91±0.12). The atherogenicity (0.65±0.05) and trombogenicity (1.47±0.10) indexes, important indexes to predict heart coronary diseases risk, were not affected by the inclusion of LA in the diet of the animals. The results suggest that LA can be included up to 1.5% (DM basis of total diet) in the diets of Nellore without causing any significant changes in the fatty acids profile of the meat.

WORKSHOP ON THE ESSENTIALITY OF AND RECOMMENDED DIETARY INTAKES FOR OMEGA-6 AND OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 166-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artemis P. Simopoulos ◽  
Alexander Leaf ◽  
Norman Salem
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Omega 6
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