Metabolic disorders and blood fatty acids status in hospitalized very old patients: part I of the Alpha-linolenage study⋆⋆⋆

Background: previous studies showed that hospitalized elderly women had low Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake and concomitantly showed biochemical indices of essential fatty acid (EFA) insufficiency. Objectives: the Alpha-Linolenage study aimed to improve health parameters of hospitalized very elderly patients, aged 85 years. The objective of the Part I of the Alpha-linolenage study was to assess blood fatty acid status and parameters of metabolic disorders of these patients at the baseline. Design: from 2009 to 2011, 188 patients entering the geriatric department of Emile Roux Hospitals, Île-de-France region, France, were included. Data on the lipid status were obtained through analysis of fatty acid compositions of plasma cholesterol esters and erythrocyte phospholipids. Results: because of our inclusion criteria, there was a high prevalence of CV disease, affecting 74% of our participants. Patients ingested an average of 1586 kcal per day. Fat accounted for 49.2 g/d. Both LA and ALA intakes were not reached, i.e. on average 5 g/d of LA vs. 8–10 g and 1.2 g/d of ALA vs. 2–2.5 g recommended, respectively. The LA and ALA blood status reflected this situation; their contents were lower than those waited under sufficient EFA diet. Conclusion: in very elderly patients a status of chronic disease may generate CV or mortality risk factors. A low fat intake, with both insufficient LA and ALA intakes might favor the harmful role played by de novo lipogenesis, Indeed, a cornerstone of dietary guidelines, i.e. restriction of fat and saturated fat, may be related to risk of disease. The second part of the alpha-linolenage study will aim to improve markers of the metabolic disorders by providing sufficiently lipids.