Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
Molecules. 2013 Nov 15;18(11):14203-27. doi: 10.3390/molecules181114203.
Incorporating n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the diet may promote the development of a healthy skeleton and thereby reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis in later life. Studies using developing animal models suggest lowering dietary n-6 PUFA and increasing n-3 PUFA intakes, especially long chain n-3 PUFA, may be beneficial for achieving higher bone mineral content, density and stronger bones. To date, the evidence regarding the effects of α-linolenic acid (ALA) remain equivocal, in contrast to evidence from the longer chain products, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This review reports the results of investigations into n-3 PUFA supplementation on bone fatty acid composition, strength and mineral content in developing animal models as well as the mechanistic relationships of PUFA and bone, and identifies critical areas for future research. Overall, this review supports a probable role for essential (ALA) and long chain (EPA and DHA) n-3 PUFA for bone health. Understanding the role of PUFA in optimizing bone health may lead to dietary strategies that promote bone development and maintenance of a healthy skeleton.
在饮食中摄入 n-3 多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA）可能有助于骨骼健康发育，从而降低晚年骨质疏松症的风险。使用发育中的动物模型进行的研究表明，降低饮食中 n-6 PUFA 的摄入量并增加 n-3 PUFA 的摄入量，特别是长链 n-3 PUFA，可能有益于获得更高的骨矿物质含量、密度和更强壮的骨骼。迄今为止，关于 α-亚麻酸（ALA）的证据仍然存在争议，而长链产物二十碳五烯酸（EPA）和二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）的证据则相反。本综述报告了在发育中的动物模型中 n-3 PUFA 补充对骨脂肪酸组成、强度和矿物质含量的影响，以及 PUFA 与骨骼的机制关系，并确定了未来研究的关键领域。总的来说，本综述支持必需（ALA）和长链（EPA 和 DHA）n-3 PUFA 对骨骼健康可能发挥的作用。了解 PUFA 在优化骨骼健康中的作用，可能会促使人们制定促进骨骼发育和维持健康骨骼的饮食策略。
