Positive Health Online

Abstract

REINER and COLLEAGUES,  (1)Departement für Innere Medizin, Kantonsspital Baden und Labor für Plättchenforschung, Kardiovaskuläre Physiologie, Universität Zürich. (2)Labor für Plättchenforschung, Kardiovaskuläre Physiologie, Universität Zürich reviewed the literature on effects of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) in development of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Background

Effects of Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) in particular on the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are of major interest.

Methodology

Many experimental studies reported their anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and anti-atherosclerotic properties and suggested favourable effects on the prevention of CVD.

Results

While the majority of former studies showed a benefit of n-3 FA acid intake, recent clinical trials using n-3 supplements on top of established medication and prudent nutrition did not confirm these findings.

Conclusion

The conflicting data may be due to several factors such as the selection of study population with different sizes or characteristics as well as choosing different doses or types of n-3 FA. The most recent meta-analyses observed clear benefits of fish consumption, but not of n-3 capsules intake. Furthermore, a nutrition rich in plant-derived n-3 FA alpha-linolenic acid has been found to have beneficial effects on the development of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases.

References

Reiner MF(1), Stivala S(1), Camici GG(2) and Beer JH(1). [The effects of Omega-3 fatty acids in clinical medicine].  [Article in German; Abstract available in German from the publisher]. Praxis (Bern 1994). 103(6):329-35. doi: 10.1024/1661-8157/a001593. Mar 12 2014.

Comment

Further research is warranted to confirm benefits of n-3 FA benefits in heart disease.