Understanding omega-3’s Essay Example for Free

Understanding omega-3’s Essay To-date, many studies have been conducted to validate and understand the effect of omega-3’s in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3’s have attracted attention as potential triglyceride lowering and cardioprotective agents. They are a special group of polyunsaturated fatty acids found abundantly in marine sources (fatty fish) as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic acid (DHA), and in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils as ÃŽ ±-linolenic acid (ALA). The delta-6-desaturase enzyme in vivo converts ÃŽ ±-linolenic acid into EPA and subsequently to DHA. Further metabolism of these products yields eicosanoids, the subject of interest. Eicosanoids (thromboxane, leukotrienes, prostaglandins) derived from omega-3’s have an anti-inflammatory and anti-aggretory effect. These properties account for the cardioprotective effects of omega-3’s since inflammation is one of the basic factors behind atheroma formation and plaque rupture. Studies have confirmed the dietary intake of omega-3’s to be inversely proportional to the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein, IL-6, E-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Another study revealed an inverse relationship between EPA+DHA intake and soluble tumor necrosis factors. Omega-3 consumption has been shown to be inversely proportional to CVD, especially sudden cardiac death. The reduction of sudden cardiac death in people who consumed fish once a week was more (52%) than those who ate fish less than once a month. However, no relationship between omega-3 consumption and non-sudden death, myocardial infarction, or CVD mortality has yet been established. Although studies have been focused on the effects of EPA+DHA, the 4 prospective randomized trials discussed in the article suggest that the effect of ALA is not much different. However, further studies need to be conducted to verify the details in metabolism of ALA to eicosanoids. This knowledge may be important in knowing the extent and limitations of the process, and the limiting factors if any. Use of omega-3 has not been reported to cause any life-threatening illnesses or deaths. However, some gastrointestinal problems have been reported in a minute fraction of subjects. Presence of traces of mercury or methyl mercury in fish poses risk of mercury poisoning. However, while the FDA recommends pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children to avoid eating fish with high mercury content, it allows adults one serving (7 oz. ) per week consumption of fish containing 1ppm mercury. Some studies suggest role of ALA in prostrate cancer. Although such a link has not fully been established, it is safer to chose fish oil when implementing omega-3 supplementation in men. The American Heart Association recommends that the patients without known CVD should maintain a diet rich in ALA and eat a variety of fish twice a week. Patients with known CVD should consume at least 1 g/d EPA+DHA (3 g/d of fish oil) (Table III). The graph in Figure 3 shows a marked decrease in the percentage of energy the industrial society is getting from omega-3’s since the past century. The sudden surge in the use of harmful trans fats and the omega-6’s can be seen as the reason to the increase in heart diseases and sudden cardiac deaths during this period. This study has established the importance of omega-3’s from fish and vegetable oils in diet for everyone who wishes to live a normal, healthy life. Further studies need to be conducted to account for the effects of long term use and minimum threshold doses of EPA+DHA and the extent of metabolism of ALA and its role in prostrate cancer. However, knowledge from this article has made me stauncher in the use of fish at least once a week, since I have a family history of CVD.