Alpha-Linolenic Acid May Lower Risk of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

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Alpha-Linolenic Acid May Lower Risk of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 07 - Dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid was associated with reduced incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a new analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004.

Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid found in many vegetable oils, including flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil.

Dr. Mark Eberhardt and associates at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hyattsville, land, identified 1062 diabetics age 40 and older for whom complete 24-hour dietary recall data were recorded. Peripheral neuropathy had been assessed using a nylon monofilament at three plantar sites on each foot to test for sensation.

Dr. Eberhardt's group calculated the intake of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and of seven specific fatty acids and report their findings in the January issue of Diabetes Care. In multivariate analyses, they adjusted for age, sex, race, education, height, weight, diabetes duration, glycemic control, hypertension, smoking, and total calorie intake.

Relative to adults in the lowest quintile of alpha-linolenic acid intake (< 0.61 g/day), the multivariate-adjusted odds of having peripheral neuropathy was 0.54 for subjects in the fourth quintile (1.35 - 2.10 g/day) of intake and 0.40 for adults in the fifth quintile (2.11 g/day or higher).

High dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid is associated with reduced risk of vascular disease (coronary heart disease and hypertension), Dr. Eberhardt's team points out. "The protective effect of alpha-linolenic acid on macrovascular diseases and its association with diabetic peripheral neuropathy may be due to a similar biological mechanism."

They recommend further study to verify a protective effect of alpha-linolenic acid in patients with diabetes.

Diabetes Care 2008;31:93-95.

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