Omega-3 fatty acids and non-communicable diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To review the relation between dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) and non-communicable diseases.


METHODS
Data were collected from scientific journals and conference publications, MEDLINE (1979 - 2002) and current content which included 68 prospective, cross-sectional, case control and dietary-intervention studies. Scientific paper selections were based on the association between omega-3 PUFA and non-communicable diseases.


RESULTS
omega-3 PUFA has beneficial effects on increasing heart rate variability, decreasing the risk of stroke, reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. Long chain omega-3 PUFA has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. omega-3 PUFA has also been reported to have a beneficial effect on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia, and may be effective in managing depression in adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from epidemiological and dietary intervention studies have shown that omega-3 PUFA represent powerfully a class of bioactive compounds and that dietary intake of omega-3 PUFA plays a critical role in human health in relation to non-communicable diseases.
Li
Duo
D
Department of Food Science, Hangzhou University of Commerce, Hangzhou 310035, China. duoli@mail.hzic.edu.cn
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids