The Effect of Walnut Consumption on -3 Fatty Acid Profile of Healthy People Living in a Non-Mediterranean West Balkan Country, a Small Scale Randomized Study.

People living in non-Mediterranean West Balkan countries have diets with a low -3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content. Walnuts, a traditional Serbian food, could be an excellent source of -3 PUFA. The first sub-study evaluated the fatty acid and mineral content of Serbian walnuts, demonstrating that walnuts had the high content of linolenic acid (C18:3, -3 ALA). The second sub-study assessed the consumption of walnuts ( L.) and total -3-fatty acid intake in apparently healthy Serbian residents, using 24-h dietary recalls ( = 352). An inadequate intake of -3 fatty acids and a low consumption of walnuts was seen. Additionally, we evaluated the fatty acid profile of healthy Serbian adults ( = 110) and finally, via a randomized intervention 4-weeks study, we assessed the effects of walnut consumption on -3 fatty acid profile of participants ( = 18). The plasma content of -3 PUFA was low and the -6/-3 ratio was high in our study participants. The -3 plasma fatty acid profile was improved after 4 weeks of walnut consumption, meaning that ALA, eicosapentaenoic acid, and total -3 were significantly increased. The results of our study pointed out the potential health benefits of walnuts consumption on amelioration of the -3 fatty acid profile that should be taken into account in preventive management programs. The higher conversion of ALA to EPA (>10%) in examined study participants, suggests the importance of a moderate walnut consumption.