ID 493 -
Kwas alfa-linolenowy
PL: Kwas alfa-linolenowy
EN: Alpha-linolenic acid (LNA-Omega 3)
Pdf: various food(s)/food constituent(s) that are referring to children’s development
Oświadczenie (4)
- Kwas alfa-linolenowy przyczynia się do utrzymywania prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu we krwi
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms and three double bonds. ALA is a well recognised nutrient, is well absorbed when consumed in the form of triglycerides and is measurable in foods by well established methods.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, ALA, that is the subject of the health claims is sufficiently characterised.
2.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu we krwi (ID 493)
The claimed effect is “blood cholesterol”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel notes that the claimed effect relates to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues, including the arteries. Elevated LDL-cholesterol, by convention >160 mg/dL, may compromise the normal structure and function of the arteries.
The Panel considers that the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations is beneficial to human health.
3.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu we krwi (ID 493)
Clinical trials comparing the effects of different vegetable oils on serum lipids in normolipidaemic subjects have shown that the effect of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on serum cholesterol is similar to that of linoleic acid (LA) (Mantzioris et al., 1994; Valsta et al., 1995; Pand et al., 1998). In a meta- analysis of 60 randomised controlled clinical trials, the replacement of 1% of energy from carbohydrates by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly as LA, reduced serum LDL cholesterol levels by 0.02 mmol/l (Mensink et al., 2003). The estimated change in the total to HDL cholesterol
ratio was -0.032. Although LA was the main source of PUFA in the studies above, smaller amounts of ALA were also used in some of the studies. Moreover, as indicated in the studies by Mantzioris et al. (1994), Valsta et al. (1995) and Pand et al. (1998), the effects of LA and ALA on serum lipoproteins are similar and the n-6/n-3 ratio of dietary PUFA does not affect the serum lipid profile (Goyens and Mensink, 2005).
No specific data on the effects of ALA intake on cholesterol levels have been presented for children, but there is no scientific evidence for different effects in children as compared to adults.
The Panel considers that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of ALA and the reduction of blood cholesterol concentrations.
4.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu we krwi (ID 493)
The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Alpha-linolenic acid contributes to maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations”.
5.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stężenia cholesterolu we krwi (ID 493)
In order to bear the claim a food should contain at least 15% of the proposed labelling reference intake value of 2 g ALA per day. Such an amount can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.
Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia
3 to 4 g per day