Influence of an eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid-enriched enteral nutrition formula on plasma fatty acid composition and biomarkers of insulin resistance in the elderly.

BACKGROUND & AIMS n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids may improve cardiovascular outcomes in elderly. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feeding elderly patients exclusively with an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diet specifically designed for enteral nutrition for 6 months, evaluating modifications in plasma fatty acid profile and some biomarkers of insulin resistance (IR). METHODS Thirty-two patients >65 years were fed a new enteral formula (T-Diet Plus) containing 75 mg/l of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 35 mg/l of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 33 were fed an enteral diet intended for elderly (Jevity). Blood samples were drawn at the beginning and after 3 and 6 months of feeding. Plasma lipids, total plasma and lipid fraction fatty acid profiles, and some IR-associated adipokines were analysed. RESULTS Feeding on T-Diet Plus allowed EPA and DHA incorporation into plasma lipids and normalised blood triacylglycerols (TAG) levels after 3 months without major changes in IR, leptin and adiponectin. CONCLUSIONS Feeding the elderly exclusively with an enteral formula enriched with EPA and DHA improves their plasma lipid fatty acid profile and lowers TAG, a well known cardiovascular risk biomarker, without affecting IR.