title: From Inuit to implementation: omega-3 fatty acids come of age.
abstract: During the past 25 years, the cardiovascular effects of marine omega-3 (omega-3) fatty acids have been the subject of increasing investigation. In the late 1970s, epidemiological studies revealed that Greenland Inuits had substantially reduced rates of acute myocardial infarction compared with Western control subjects. These observations generated more than 4,500 studies to explore this and other effects of omega-3 fatty acids on human metabolism and health. From epidemiology to cell culture and animal studies to randomized controlled trials, the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids are becoming recognized. These fatty acids, when incorporated into the diet at levels of about 1 g/d, seem to be able to stabilize myocardial membranes electrically, resulting in reduced susceptibility to ventricular dysrhythmias, thereby reducing the risk of sudden death. The recent GISSI (Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Infarto miocardico)-Prevention study of 11,324 patients showed a 45% decrease in risk of sudden cardiac death and a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality in the group taking 850 mg/d of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids have potent anti-inflammatory effects and may also be antiatherogenic. Higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids can lower elevated serum triglyceride levels; 3 to 5 g/ d can reduce triglyceride levels by 30% to 50%, minimizing the risk of both coronary heart disease and acute pancreatitis. This review summarizes the emerging evidence of the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Mid America Heart Institute of Saint Luke's Hospital and Department of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006116:Greenland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid