title: Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils and cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Fish and fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relation between the dietary consumption of fish containing EPA/DHA and mortality from coronary heart disease. These relationships have been substantiated from blood measures of omega-3 fatty acids including DHA as a physiological biomarker for omega-3 fatty acid status. Controlled intervention trials with fish oil supplements enriched in EPA/DHA have shown their potential to reduce mortality in post-myocardial infarction patients with a substantial reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death. The cardioprotective effects of EPA/DHA are widespread, appear to act independently of blood cholesterol reduction, and are mediated by diverse mechanisms. Their overall effects include anti-arrhythmic, blood triglyceride-lowering, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, endothelial relaxation, plus others. Current dietary intakes of EPA/DHA in North America and elsewhere are well below those recommended by the American Heart Association for the management of patients with coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. bholub@uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: Darren J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Holub
authors.forename: Bruce J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Holub
mesh_terms: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils