Omega-3 Fatty Acids

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

 

•    Omega-3 FA’s are polyunsaturated, meaning they contain more than one double bond

 

•     They are called omega-3 because the first double bond counting from the methyl end of the fatty acid is located at the third carbon atom

•     Omega 3 fatty acids are often referred to as essential fatty acids. This is because they cannot be produced by your own body, but instead need to be gotten through essential foods.

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Types

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): EPA is found primarily in fish and fish oil.

Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA): DHA is especially important to your body, and is also found primarily in fish.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA): ALA is found mostly in seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy green vegetables. It is converted into EPA and then into DHA in your body.

The human body can convert ALA to DHA and EPA.

 

•    The Distinct Benefits of Omega-3s

•    Hypertriglyceridemia (fish oil / EPA plus DHA)

•    Abnormal level of serum lipids primarily LDL,HDL AND TG have long been recognized as independent risk factors for CVD There is strong scientific evidence from human trials that omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil    supplements (EPA + DHA) significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels Benefits appear to be   dose-dependent, with effects at doses as low as 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day.

•     Higher doses have greater effects, and 4 grams per day can lower triglyceride levels by 25-40%.

•    intakes of greater than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day may be necessary to obtain clinically relevant effects, and at this dose level, there is an increased risk of bleeding.

•           Atherosclerosis

•     Some research reports that regular intake of fish or fish oil supplements reduces the risk of developing atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of the heart while other research reports no effects.

•     moderately less progression and more regression of coronary artery disease than did patients on placebo .

•     Cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)

•     There is promising evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the risk of cardiac arrhythmias . This is one proposed mechanism behind the reduced number of heart attacks in people who regularly ingest fish oil or EPA + DHA .

•     Primary cardiovascular disease prevention;-linolenic acid [ALA])

•     Several large studies of populations ("epidemiologic" studies) report a significantly reduced risk of fatal or non-fatal heart attack in men and women who regularly consume foods high in linolenic acid

•     Secondary cardiovascular disease prevention (fish oil / EPA plus DHA)

•     Several well-conducted randomized controlled trials report that in people with a history of heart   attack, regular consumption of oily fish (200-400 grams of fish each week equal to 500-800mg of   daily omega-3 fatty acids) or fish oil/omega-3 supplements (containing 850-1800mg of EPA + DHA)   reduces the risk of non-fatal heart attack, fatal heart attack, sudden death, and all-cause mortality (death due to any cause).

•     Multiple mechanisms have been proposed for the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids.

•    1-reduced triglyceride levels.

•    2-reduced inflammation .

•    3-slightly lowered blood pressure .

•    4-reduced blood clotting.

•    5-reduced tendency of the heart to develop abnormal rhythms .

•    6-and diminished buildup of atherosclerotic plaques in arteries of the heart.

•     Interactions and Precautions with Omega 3 Supplements

•     At the time of writing, there are no well known interactions with Omega 3.

•     Conclusion

•     Overall most research shows that supplementing omega3 fatty acid could reduce or prevent the like hood of developing cardiovascular disease.