Beyond the Mediterranean diet: the role of omega-3 Fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease.
Evidence from epidemiologic and clinical secondary prevention trials suggest that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) may have a significant role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Dietary sources of n-3 PUFAs include fish oils, rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, along with plants rich in a-linolenic acid. Randomized secondary prevention clinical trials with fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid) and a-linolenic acid have demonstrated reductions in risk that compare favorably to those seen in landmark secondary prevention trials with lipid-lowering drugs. Several mechanisms explaining the cardioprotective effect of the n-3 PUFA have been suggested including antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic roles. Although official US guidelines for the dietary intake of n-3 PUFA are not available, several international guidelines have been published. Fish is an important source of the n-3 PUFA in the US diet; however, vegetable sources including grains and oils offer an alternative source for those who are unable to regularly consume fish.
Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. charper@emory.edu
Charles R
CR
Harper
Terry A
TA
Jacobson
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3