Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids supplied by food in a population group in Aquitaine

The levels of dietary supply with linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) have been revised for French people. However, few data of real intake are actually available, especially regarding LNA. This study shows that, in Aquitaine (n = 140 women), average LA supply (4.4 +/- 1.8% of total energy) is in accordance with the recommended value (4%), whereas LNA supply is too low (0.34 +/- 0.1% versus 0.8%). Three quarters of total LNA are provided by animal fats. In adipose tissue, LA and LNA levels represent respectively 14% and 0.5% of total fatty acids. In plasma, these fatty acids are mainly incorporated into cholesterol esters (CE) (53% LA and 0.42% LNA). Moreover, LA percentage value in CE is positively correlated with that found in adipose tissue (r = 0.606; p < 0.001). Therefore, plasma CE could be used as a non-invasive indicator of LA intake.