n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary thrombosis
Abstract Studies of Greenland Eskimos showed that a very high intake of marine n−3 fatty acids markedly inhibited platelet reactivity and suggested that intake of these fatty acids might prevent coronary thrombosis. Later studies with lower, more practical doses of n−3 fatty acids also have shown a...
| Published in: | Lipids |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2001
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0686-8 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1007/s11745-001-0686-8 |
| Summary: | Abstract Studies of Greenland Eskimos showed that a very high intake of marine n−3 fatty acids markedly inhibited platelet reactivity and suggested that intake of these fatty acids might prevent coronary thrombosis. Later studies with lower, more practical doses of n−3 fatty acids also have shown a platelet inhibitory effect of n−3 fatty acids, albeit fairly marginal. Furthermore, n−3 fatty acids have little effect on measures of blood coagulability and may slightly decrease fibrinolysis. In animal models, n−3 fatty acids often have been shown to inhibit thrombosis, but again the doses have tended to be very high. Finally, there has been little effect of (low‐dose) n−3 fatty acids in clinical trials in humans on the incidence of myocardial infarction. Overall, there is little evidence for a major antithrombotic effect of practical doses of n−3 fatty acids on coronary thrombosis. This does not exclude a beneficial effect of n−3 fatty acids on coronary heart disease as suggested from clinical trials, but the major effect may be antiarrhythmic rather than antithrombotic. |
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