Yearly changes in fatty acid intake by Japanese were determined by analyzing data from the National Nutrition Survey for the years 1952 through 1995. The n-6/n-3 fatty acid intake ratio and other ratios were calculated. Total fat and fatty acid intake has increased significantly over the last 44 years. The intake ratios for anima fat : vegetable fat : fish oil, saturated fatty acid : monounsatu-rated fatty acid : polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-6/n-3 and linoleic/ α-linolenic acid were 0.6 : 3.7 : 1, 1 : 1 : 1.5, 4.1 and 8.6, respectively, in 1952 and 4.1 : 5.4 : 1, 1 : 1. 1 : 1, 4.7 and 8.8 in 1995. The leading contributors to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake were fats and oils while fish and shellfish were the main sources of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The n-6/n-3 ratio decreased when fat s and oils were replaced with other sources rich in α -linolenic acid.
View full abstract