TABLE 2.
Percentage differences (95% CIs) in relative telomere length according to quartiles of total or individual n–3 fatty acid and total n–6 fatty acid intakes1
| Q1 (ref.) | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | P-trend | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total n–3 fatty acids2 | |||||
| Participants, n | 622 | 629 | 620 | 623 | |
| Median, g/d | 0.87 | 1.21 | 1.56 | 2.16 | |
| Model 1 | 0 | −3.1 (−13.0, 7.9) | −1.8 (−11.8, 9.5) | −0.5 (−10.7, 10.9) | 0.95 |
| Model 2 | 0 | −3.6 (−13.8, 7.7) | −3.0 (−13.9, 9.3) | −1.7 (−14.1, 12.5) | 0.92 |
| Model 3 | 0 | −3.8 (−14.4, 8.2) | −1.8 (−13.8, 11.7) | 2.4 (−11.5, 18.5) | 0.57 |
| Marine n–3 fatty acids3 | |||||
| Participants, n | 603 | 637 | 624 | 630 | |
| Median, g/d | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.28 | 0.49 | |
| Model 1 | 0 | −2.4 (−12.4, 8.8) | 7.9 (−3.2, 20.3) | 8.2 (−2.9, 20.6) | 0.056 |
| Model 2 | 0 | −2.4 (−12.5, 8.8) | 8.3 (−3.0, 20.9) | 7.8 (−3.5, 20.4) | 0.07 |
| Model 3 | 0 | −2.6 (−12.7, 8.6) | 7.9 (−3.4, 20.5) | 7.1 (−4.2, 19.6) | 0.09 |
| EPA | |||||
| Participants, n | 583 | 584 | 711 | 616 | |
| Median, g/d | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.16 | |
| Model 1 | 0 | 1.0 (−9.6, 12.9) | 3.5 (−6.9, 15.1) | 11.0 (−0.6, 23.9) | 0.045 |
| Model 2 | 0 | 1.5 (−9.3, 13.5) | 3.8 (−6.8, 15.6) | 10.8 (−0.9, 23.9) | 0.054 |
| Model 3 | 0 | 1.1 (−9.7, 13.1) | 3.2 (−7.3, 15.0) | 9.9 (−1.8, 23.0) | 0.08 |
| DHA | |||||
| Participants, n | 559 | 674 | 642 | 619 | |
| Median, g/d | 0.05 | 0.12 | 0.19 | 0.32 | |
| Model 1 | 0 | −3.3 (−13.3, 7.9) | 7.5 (−3.7, 20.0) | 9.2 (−2.3, 22.0) | 0.03 |
| Model 2 | 0 | −3.5 (−13.5, 7.7) | 7.4 (−3.9, 20.2) | 8.9 (−2.8, 22.1) | 0.037 |
| Model 3 | 0 | −3.7 (−13.7, 7.5) | 7.0 (−4.3, 19.7) | 8.2 (−3.5, 21.3) | 0.0498 |
| Total n–6 fatty acids4 | |||||
| Participants, n | 623 | 623 | 628 | 620 | |
| Median, g/d | 6.75 | 9.63 | 12.63 | 18.34 | |
| Model 1 | 0 | −0.1 (−10.3, 11.3) | 0.8 (−9.5, 12.3) | −4.9 (−14.6, 6.0) | 0.34 |
| Model 2 | 0 | −2.0 (−12.4, 9.7) | −2.7 (−13.9, 10.0) | −11.1 (−23.7, 3.5) | 0.12 |
| Model 35 | 0 | −1.0 (−12.0, 11.2) | −2.0 (−14.3, 11.9) | −12.2 (−25.7, 3.6) | 0.10 |
Model 1 was adjusted for age at blood collection (continuous). Model 2 included the covariate in model 1 and was in addition controlled for race (white, nonwhite), BMI (continuous), physical activity (continuous), alcohol consumption (continuous), total caloric intake (continuous), smoking status and pack-years (never, past smoker and pack-years < 20, past smoker and pack-years ≥ 20, current smoker and pack-years < 20, current smoker and pack-years ≥ 20), and case–control status in previous nested case–control studies. Model 3 was in addition adjusted for total n–6 fatty acids. All models reflect linear regression. n–3, omega-3; n–6, omega-6; Q, quartile.
Total n–3 fatty acids consisted of ALA (78.3%), EPA (7.3%), DHA (12.8%), and DPA (1.7%).
EPA + DHA.
Total n–6 fatty acids consisted of LA (98.9%) and AA (1.1%).
Adjustment for total n–3 fatty acids in addition to the covariates used in model 2 for total n–6 fatty acids.