SDA Soybean Oil Increases the Omega-3 Index

ST. LOUISA new clinical study confirms consuming SDA (stearidonic acid) soybean oil increases the omega-3 index, a diagnostic test that measures the amount of long-chain omega-3s in red blood cells that is an emerging marker for risk of sudden cardiac death. SDA soybean oil is a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that can increase tissue concentrations of long-chain omega3 fatty acids.

The study, published in the current issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that SDA soybean oil raised red blood cell EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) concentrations and increased the omega-3 index, an effect only seen in studies looking at consumption of fatty fish and fish oil.  Small increases in the omega-3 index can significantly reduce the risk for sudden cardiac death.

The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicenter study randomly assigned 252 overweight subjects to 1 of 3 treatments for 12 weeks: 1 gram encapsulated soybean oil/day plus 14.7 grams  liquid soybean oil/day to be mixed in food (control group); 1 gram encapsulated EPA/day plus 14.7 grams liquid soybean oil/day (EPA group); and 1 gram encapsulated soybean oil/day plus 14.7 grams liquid SDA soybean oil/day, providing 4.2 g SDA (SDA group). Subjects consumed treatment oils in exchange for other oils in their diet.        

The results of this study confirm that SDA is efficiently converted in the body to heart-healthy EPA, thus increasing the omega-3 index, said Elaine Krul, Ph.D., an author of the study and lead of molecular nutrition at Solae. This is significant because current plant-based omega-3 sources have not shown this efficient conversion, and marine-based omega-3 sources pose challenges for food companies to work with as an ingredient.

 Long-chain omega-3s (lcPUFAs) have been scientifically shown to play an important role in heart health.  Data show that many people are not consuming adequate amounts of long chain omega-3 fatty acids in their diets. Currently, nutritionally efficient sources of dietary long chain omega-3s are limited to selected types of seafood, algae and supplements. Upon the completion of the regulatory process, SDA soybean oil will be available in the United States as a food ingredient that can be incorporated into many foods.  

SDA soybean oil will serve as an alternative, sustainable source of omega-3s that could help close the current gap between the recommended and current intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids, said Shawna Lemke, Ph.D., an author of the study and global human nutritionist at Monsanto Company.

This study was supported by Monsanto Company and Solae. The companies are collaborating on the development and marketing of SDA soybean oil.