This presentation will discuss recent (2020-2024) published evidence related to plant-based dietary omega-3 intake of stearidonic acid (SDA, C18:4n-3). We will focus on the important implications for supporting cardiovascular, immune, liver, and cognitive function from plant-based omega-3 precursors vs from marine EPA/DHA and/or preformed algal DHA sources. Many clinicians are unaware that dietary SDA by-passes a key rate-limiting step in n-3 PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid) synthesis, facilitating significantly more efficient omega-3 EPA+DHA accrual in humans than from dietary omega-3 ALA (C18:3n-3) sources. Clinicians have focused on the omega-3 index which measures circulating EPA/DHA levels without understanding key tissue DHA biosynthesis (aka turnover) rates, thus typically recommending only marine or algal omega-3 sources. Attendees will learn: how SDA’s hepatic metabolites naturally and efficiently form a more diverse array of anti-inflammatory cellular substrates in key tissues while boosting anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) status; a new SDA-rich dietary oil biosynthesizes DHA efficiently into liver and brain tissues; a R-DBPC human clinical trial demonstrated significant neuro-cognitive performance improvements in young adults and healthy seniors after 28 days; and SDA+GLA (C18:3n-6)-rich dietary oil intakes rebalance gut microbiome populations, improve insulin sensitivity, and promote favorable hepatic immune function. Attendees will learn how to leverage dietary SDA-rich pathways for addressing a range of episodic and preventative therapeutic goals with a common etiology in systemic omega-3 deficiency and in related pro-inflammatory impacts on various organ systems and mental health that practitioners routinely contend with in all life stages.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand key metabolic differences between endogenously converted omega-3 EPA/DHA from SDA-rich sources vs from exogenous (preformed) EPA/DHA sources.
2. Participants will understand and translate plant-based dietary SDA applications into therapeutic applications benefiting from elevated anti-inflammatory IL-10—with applications in immune, gut microbiome, lipidemic/circulatory, fertility and hormonal, and mental wellness.
3. Participants will understand evidence-based clinical indications and applications for SDA-rich omega-3 supplementation based on controlled dietary intervention trial outcomes relating to gut-brain axis support, cognitive performance, cardiovascular resilience, and hormonal balance.