Impact of dietary n-3 FA deficiency on rat bone tissue FA composition.

The effect of dietary n-3 FA deficiency on bone tissue FA composition was evaluated in growing rats. Two mixtures combining hydrogenated coconut oil with safflower oil served as the n-3-deficient dietary treatments and provided two levels of linoleic acid (LA). The n-3 treatments were formulated with added alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) from flaxseed oil (diet LNA) or LNA plus DHA, and both were balanced for LA. This study showed that bone is sensitive to changes in dietary n-3 FA and that DHA is more effective than LNA in maintaining DHA levels in these tissues.