The health benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: a review of the evidence.
The UK dietary guidelines for cardiovascular disease acknowledge the importance of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) - a component of fish oils - in reducing heart disease risk. At the time, it was recommended that the average n-3 PUFA intake should be increased from 0.1 to 0.2 g day(-1). However, since the publication of these guidelines, a plethora of evidence relating to the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs, in areas other than heart disease, has emerged. The majority of intervention studies, which found associations between various conditions and the intake of fish oils or their derivatives, used n-3 intakes well above the 0.2 g day(-1) recommended by Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA). Furthermore, in 2004, the Food Standards Agency changed its advice on oil-rich fish creating a discrepancy between the levels of n-3 PUFA implied by the new advice and the 1994 COMA guideline. This review will examine published evidence from observational and intervention studies relating to the health effects of n-3 PUFAs, and discuss whether the current UK recommendation for long-chain n-3 PUFA needs to be revisited.
Ruxton
C H S
CH
Nutrition Communications, Cupar, UK. carrie@nutritioncommunication.com
Reed
S C
SC
Simpson
M J A
MJ
Millington
K J
KJ
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D006113:United Kingdom
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils