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Erucic Acid

Also known as: Erucic acid, cis-13-docosenoic acid, EA

Overview

Erucic acid (EA) is a naturally occurring monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid (C22:1 ω-9) predominantly found in rapeseed oil and mustard oil, members of the Brassicaceae family. It is consumed primarily through dietary oils, especially in some Asian countries where mustard oil with 30-50% EA content is common. Historically, EA has been considered potentially toxic due to animal studies showing cardiotoxicity, but human data are limited and inconclusive. Research on EA is mixed, with evidence of both adverse effects (myocardial lipidosis, hepatic steatosis) and potential benefits (neuroprotection, cardiovascular protection in limited human studies). The evidence base includes animal toxicology studies mostly from decades ago, some recent reviews, and limited human observational data; no large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses specifically on EA supplementation have been conducted.

Benefits

Preliminary evidence suggests erucic acid may offer some health benefits, though these are not definitively established in human clinical trials. Some in vitro and in vivo models indicate neuroprotective potential, suggesting EA may slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Limited human observational studies on mustard oil consumption (rich in EA) have reported a possible protective effect against acute myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease. However, these findings are not definitive and are confounded by other components present in the oil. Additionally, some data suggest EA might modulate lipid metabolism, but this effect is not well quantified in controlled trials. The strength of evidence for these benefits is low, primarily based on preclinical studies and observational human data, lacking robust clinical trials to confirm efficacy or establish quantitative effect sizes.

How it works

Erucic acid, once consumed, is incorporated into cellular lipids and can influence lipid metabolism pathways. In animal studies, high doses of EA have been shown to accumulate in cardiac tissue, leading to myocardial lipidosis, which suggests an interference with mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Conversely, its potential neuroprotective effects may stem from its ability to modulate peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism, thereby reducing the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids in neural tissue. EA is primarily bioavailable through dietary intake of oils containing it, with absorption patterns similar to other long-chain fatty acids.

Side effects

Historically, erucic acid has been classified as potentially cardiotoxic based on animal studies conducted with high doses. These studies reported adverse effects such as myocardial lipidosis (fat accumulation in heart muscle) and hepatic steatosis (fatty liver). However, these effects were generally reversible upon cessation of high-dose exposure, and human toxicity has not been definitively confirmed. There are no well-documented common side effects in humans due to the limited clinical data available. No specific drug interactions have been documented for erucic acid. Due to the historical animal data, regulatory bodies, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have established a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 7 mg/kg body weight/day as a safety benchmark. Caution is advised for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease risk. While neurodegenerative disease patients might be a target for future research, current safety concerns limit its use as a supplement.

Dosage

There are no established therapeutic dosing guidelines for erucic acid due to the lack of clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy or safety as a supplement. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 7 mg/kg body weight/day, which serves as a safety benchmark rather than a recommended therapeutic dose. This limit is based on animal toxicology data to prevent potential adverse effects. Typical dietary intake of erucic acid varies significantly by region; for instance, consumption of mustard oil in some Asian countries can lead to higher intakes compared to Western diets. There is currently no data available regarding optimal timing for consumption or specific dosing recommendations based on different forms of erucic acid for supplementation purposes.

FAQs

Is erucic acid safe to consume?

When consumed within regulatory limits (e.g., EFSA TDI of 7 mg/kg body weight/day), it is considered safe. High doses in animals caused reversible cardiac effects, but human data are lacking for confirmation.

Does erucic acid have health benefits?

Preliminary evidence suggests neuroprotective and cardiovascular benefits, but these findings require confirmation through rigorous human clinical trials to establish efficacy and safety.

Why is erucic acid restricted in some countries?

Due to historical animal toxicity data showing cardiac effects at high doses, some countries limit its intake to mitigate potential risks, despite inconclusive human evidence.

Can erucic acid be used as a supplement?

Currently, there are no approved or standardized supplement forms of erucic acid due to ongoing safety concerns and a lack of robust clinical evidence supporting its use.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9962393/ – This narrative review synthesizes toxicological data on erucic acid, primarily from animal studies. It highlights that high doses caused reversible cardiotoxicity in animals, but human data do not confirm this toxicity. The review also notes potential neuroprotective effects and mentions the EFSA's tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 7 mg/kg/day, emphasizing that most evidence is preclinical and based on high doses.
https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf032/8109231 – This comprehensive review discusses the historical and current understanding of erucic acid. It confirms that EA-rich food has been linked to myocardial lipidosis and hepatic steatosis in animals. However, it also points to some human observational studies suggesting potential protective cardiovascular and neurological effects, while acknowledging the limitations due to lack of RCTs and confounding factors in observational data.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.899076/full – This review focuses on the genetic control of erucic acid content in rapeseed and mustard plants. While it provides valuable insights into the agricultural and biological aspects of EA production, it does not contain clinical data on human health outcomes or direct implications for human supplementation, primarily focusing on plant biology.