Effect of an Alpha-linolenic Acid-rich Supplement on Ketogenesis and Plasma Fatty Acids

NCT ID: NCT02410161

Last Updated: 2019-02-18

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 20 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2013-07-31
• Study Completion Date: 2014-05-31

Brief Summary

Background: As the main alternative fuel to glucose for the brain, increased plasma ketones could potentially help compensate for brain glucose hypometabolism occurring during aging. The precursor long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), is normally mostly β-oxidized and so could potentially be used to stimulate ketogenesis in humans.

Objective: To compare the impact of an ALA-rich supplement on the ketogenic response in young and older healthy adults.

Design: Ten young and ten older adults will consume a flaxseed oil supplement providing 2 g/d of ALA for 4 weeks. Plasma ketones, free fatty acids, triglycerides, glucose and insulin will be measured over 6 h during two metabolic study days, one before and one at the end of the supplementation.

Hypothesis: ALA-rich supplement for 4 weeks will increase ketone production in both groups.

Conditions

Healthy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

4 week ALA treatment

Participants will receive the alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement (1000mg 4 times par day) for 4 weeks

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

each participant consumed one 1000 mg capsule of flaxseed oil four times per day for 4 weeks, providing a total of 2 g/d of ALA. The capsules used were a commercially available flaxseed oil supplement containing ALA at 56% of total fatty acids (Jamieson, Toronto, ON, Canada). The other main fatty acids present in flaxseed oil include linoleic acid (18%), oleic acid (16%), palmitic and stearic acid (10% combined).

Interventions

alpha-linolenic acid-rich supplement

each participant consumed one 1000 mg capsule of flaxseed oil four times per day for 4 weeks, providing a total of 2 g/d of ALA. The capsules used were a commercially available flaxseed oil supplement containing ALA at 56% of total fatty acids (Jamieson, Toronto, ON, Canada). The other main fatty acids present in flaxseed oil include linoleic acid (18%), oleic acid (16%), palmitic and stearic acid (10% combined).

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• aged between 18 and 30 or 65 years and more

Exclusion Criteria

• non smoker
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• diabetes or insulin resistance
• uncontrolled thyroid disease, hepatic or renal disease
• uncontrolled high blood pressure
• medical treatment influencing lipid or glucide metabolism
• ongoing or past severe drug or alcohol abuse
• dementia or psychiatric difficulties or depression
• chronic immune condition or inflammation

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Université de Sherbrooke

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Stephen Cunnane, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Université de Sherbrooke

Other Identifiers

2014-389

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id