title: Marine n-3 fatty acids: basic features and background.
abstract: There is some evidence from epidemiology that intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from seafood may protect against coronary artery disease (CAD). This hypothesis is further supported from animal data showing a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA on thrombosis and atherosclerosis in animals fed fish oils in most, but not all, studies. There are several mechanisms by which an increased intake of marine n-3 PUFA may protect against CAD; the most universal finding is a reduction of plasma triglycerides. It is puzzling, however, that a very low amount of n-3 PUFA, with no known beneficial biochemical effects, seems to be cardioprotective. It has therefore been of paramount interest to perform clinical trials. Such evidence and trials are discussed in later chapters, and the results have been very encouraging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Hjorring/Bronderslev Sygehus, Denmark. ebs@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aardestrup
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riahi
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Skou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D017747:Seafood; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D014280:Triglycerides