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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #344363
Title: The linoleic acid: dihomo-y-linolenic acid ratio (LA:DGLA)— an emerging biomarker of Zn status

Author
item KNEZ, MARIJA - Flinders University
item STANGOULIS, JAMES - Flinders University
item Tako, Elad

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2017
Publication Date: 8/1/2017
Citation: Knez, M., Stangoulis, J., Tako, E. 2017. The linoleic acid: dihomo-y-linolenic acid ratio (LA:DGLA)— an emerging biomarker of Zn status. Nutrients. 9(8):825.

Interpretive Summary: Dietary Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a common health concern that is predicted to affect 17% of the world’s population. Zinc is a vital mineral used for over 300 enzymatic reactions and multiple biological processes in the body. Although whole blood, plasma, and urine zinc decrease in severe zinc deficiency, accurate assessment of zinc status, especially in mild to moderate deficiency, is difficult as studies using these parameters are often contradictory and inconsistent. Hence, as suggested by the World Health Organization, sensitive and specific biological markers of zinc status are still needed. In this review, we provide evidence to demonstrate that the LA:DGLA (red bold cell long chain fatty acids) ratio (linoleic acid:dihomo-'-linolenic acid ratio) may be a useful additional indicator for assessing Zn status more precisely. However, this biomarker needs to be tested further in order to determine its full potential.

Technical Abstract: Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a common aliment predicted to affect 17% of the world’s population. Zinc is a vital micronutrient used for over 300 enzymatic reactions and multiple biochemical and structural processes in the body. Although whole blood, plasma, and urine zinc decrease in severe zinc deficiency, accurate assessment of zinc status, especially in mild to moderate deficiency, is difficult as studies with these biomarkers are often contradictory and inconsistent. Hence, as suggested by the World Health Organization, sensitive and specific biological markers of zinc status are still needed. In this review, we provide evidence to demonstrate that the LA:DGLA ratio (linoleic acid:dihomo-'-linolenic acid ratio) may be a useful additional indicator for assessing Zn status more precisely. However, this biomarker needs to be tested further in order to determine its full potential.