Takeaway
Most prediagnostic plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (PUFA) do not correlate with risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Concentration of docosahexaenoic and α-linolenic acid associates with ALS in men and concentration of arachidonic acid correlates with ALS in women.
Why this matters
The inverse correlation of α-linolenic acid concentration and ALS risk suggests that a diet high in α-linolenic acid may delay or prevent ALS, a hypothesis which should be explored further in future trials.