NCT02410161

Effect of an Alpha-linolenic Acid-rich Supplement on Ketogenesis and Plasma Fatty Acids

Effect of an Alpha-linolenic Acid-rich Supplement on Ketogenesis and Plasma n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Young Compared to Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Background: As the main alternative fuel to glucose for the brain, increased plasma ketones could potentially help compensate for brain glucose hypometabolism occurring during aging. The precursor long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), is normally mostly β-oxidized and so could potentially be used to stimulate ketogenesis in humans. Objective: To compare the impact of an ALA-rich supplement on the ketogenic response in young and older healthy adults. Design: Ten young and ten older adults will consume a flaxseed oil supplement providing 2 g/d of ALA for 4 weeks. Plasma ketones, free fatty acids, triglycerides, glucose and insulin will be measured over 6 h during two metabolic study days, one before and one at the end of the supplementation. Hypothesis: ALA-rich supplement for 4 weeks will increase ketone production in both groups.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement	each participant consumed one 1000 mg capsule of flaxseed oil four times per day for 4 weeks, providing a total of 2 g/d of ALA. The capsules used were a commercially available flaxseed oil supplement containing ALA at 56% of total fatty acids (Jamieson, Toronto, ON, Canada). The other main fatty acids present in flaxseed oil include linoleic acid (18%), oleic acid (16%), palmitic and stearic acid (10% combined).

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-07-01
• Primary completion: 2014-05-01
• Completion: 2014-05-01
• First posted: 2015-04-07
• Last updated: 2019-02-18
• Results posted: 2019-02-18