title: Do polyunsaturated fatty acids behave like an endogenous "polypill"?
abstract: Lowering plasma low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), blood pressure, homocysteine, and preventing platelet aggregation using a combination of a statin, three blood pressure lowering drugs such as a thiazide, a beta blocker, and an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor each at half standard dose; folic acid; and aspirin - called as polypill - was estimated to reduce cardiovascular events by approximately 80%. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and their long-chain metabolites and other products prevent platelet aggregation, lower blood pressure, reduce LDL-C, and ameliorate the adverse actions of homocysteine. Thus, EFAs and their metabolites show all the actions expected of the "polypill". Unlike the proposed "polypill", EFAs are endogenous molecules, have no significant side effects, can be taken orally for long periods of time even by pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children; and have been shown to reduce the incidence cardiovascular diseases. I propose that a rational combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is as beneficial as that of the "polypill"; and may even show additional benefit in the prevention of depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and enhance cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: UND Life Sciences, 13800 Fairhill Road, #321, Shaker Heights, OH 44120, USA. undurti@hotmail.com <undurti@hotmail.com>
authors.forename: Undurti N
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D005492:Folic Acid; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D001241:Aspirin