Effects of a hypoenergetic diet rich in α-linolenic acid on fatty acid composition of serum phospholipids in overweight and obese patients with metabolic syndrome.

•A high α-linolenic acid hypoenergetic diet did not increase serum phospholipid α-linolenic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid.•Dietary α-linolenic acid supplementation was unable to mitigate a decrease in phospholipid docosahexaenoic acid.•Long-term catabolic state may impair long-chain ω-3 fatty acid status.