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Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and mercury in relation to sleep duration and sleep quality: findings from the CARDIA study

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the associations of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCω3PUFA) intake with sleep quality and duration in a cohort of American young adults, and to explore whether the associations of interest are modified by selenium (Se) and/or mercury (Hg) status.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 3964 men and women from the longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, aged 25.0 ± 3.6 at baseline. Intake of LCω3PUFA was assessed using an interviewer-administered dietary history questionnaire at baseline (1985–1986), Y7 (1992–1993), and Y20 (2005–2006). Toenail Se and Hg concentrations were quantified at Y2 (1987–1988). The outcomes were self-reported sleep quality and sleep duration measured by one question for each at Y15 (2000–2001) and Y20. Generalized estimating equation was used to examine the association between cumulative average intake of LCω3PUFA and sleep measures. Restricted cubic spline was performed to explore the potential non-linear associations of interest. Se and Hg were dichotomized by their median values to examine the potential effect modification of Se and/or Hg.

Results

We did not observe any significant associations (linear or non-linear) of LCω3PUFA intake with either sleep quality or duration. Also, no significant association was observed in any subgroup classified by toenail Se and/or Hg concentrations. Similarly, sensitivity analysis indicated that the null associations between LCω3PUFA intake and sleep quality or duration persisted across subgroups classified by race, gender, obesity, or having small children.

Conclusion

Findings from this longitudinal analysis did not support the hypothesis that LCω3PUFA intake is associated with sleep quality or sleep duration.

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Acknowledgements

The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) is conducted and supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (HHSN268201800005I and HHSN268201800007I), Northwestern University (HHSN268201800003I), University of Minnesota (HHSN268201800006I), and Kaiser Foundation Research Institute (HHSN268201800004I).

Funding

This study is partially supported by grant from the NIH (RF1AG056111).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, Room 16-20, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Yijia Zhang, Cheng Chen & Ka Kahe

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Yijia Zhang, Cheng Chen & Ka Kahe

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Juhua Luo

  4. Tennessee Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Daniel T. Dibaba

  5. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Daniel T. Dibaba

  6. Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IL, USA

    Alyce D. Fly

  7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    David M. Haas

  8. Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    James M. Shikany

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  1. Yijia Zhang
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Contributions

KH designed the research; YZ performed statistical analysis, and wrote the manuscript; CC validated the analysis; DTD contributed to the non-linear analysis, JL, ADF, DMH, and JMS contributed to critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content; KH had primary responsibility for final content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. None of the authors had any conflicts of interest to disclose.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ka Kahe.

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None to declare.

Data sharing

Data described in the manuscript will be made available upon request, pending application and approval of CARDIA.

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Zhang, Y., Chen, C., Luo, J. et al. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and mercury in relation to sleep duration and sleep quality: findings from the CARDIA study. Eur J Nutr 61, 753–762 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02682-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02682-1

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