Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and cardiovascular disease

• Published in: Journal of Lipid Research
• Main Authors: Donald B. Jump, Christopher M. Depner, Sasmita Tripathy
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2012
• Subjects: dyslipidemia; inflammation; endothelial cell; cardiomyocyte; PUFA metabolism; single nucleotide polymorphism; Biochemistry; QD415-436; Greenland; inuits
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.R027904; https://doaj.org/article/1927a18863e1432397ab668f6b0cb5e5

Epidemiological studies on Greenland Inuits in the 1970s and subsequent human studies have established an inverse relationship between the ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids [C20–22ω 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)], blood levels of C20–22ω 3 PUFA, and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). C20–22ω 3 PUFA have pleiotropic effects on cell function and regulate multiple pathways controlling blood lipids, inflammatory factors, and cellular events in cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells. The hypolipemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic properties of these fatty acids confer cardioprotection. Accordingly, national heart associations and government agencies have recommended increased consumption of fatty fish or ω 3 PUFA supplements to prevent CVD. In addition to fatty fish, sources of ω 3 PUFA are available from plants, algae, and yeast. A key question examined in this review is whether nonfish sources of ω 3 PUFA are as effective as fatty fish-derived C20–22ω 3 PUFA at managing risk factors linked to CVD. We focused on ω 3 PUFA metabolism and the capacity of ω 3 PUFA supplements to regulate key cellular events linked to CVD. The outcome of our analysis reveals that nonfish sources of ω 3 PUFA vary in their capacity to regulate blood levels of C20–22ω 3 PUFA and CVD risk factors.