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

NCT02410161 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2019-02-18

Study results available
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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

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Université de Sherbrooke

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Stephen Cunnane, PhD · Université de Sherbrooke

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2013-07-31
Primary Completion
2014-05-31
Completion
2014-05-31

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02410161 on ClinicalTrials.gov