n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary thrombosis

• Published in: Lipids
• Main Authors: Kristensen, S. D., Bach Iversen, A. M., Schmidt, E. B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2001
• Subjects: Greenland; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0686-8; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1007/s11745-001-0686-8

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.