title: Omega-3 fatty acids: a comprehensive review of their role in health and disease.
abstract: Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) are essential fatty acids with diverse biological effects in human health and disease. Reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is a well-established benefit of their intake. Dietary supplementation may also benefit patients with dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, inflammatory diseases, neurological/ neuropsychiatric disorders and eye diseases. Consumption of omega-3 FAs during pregnancy reduces the risk of premature birth and improves intellectual development of the fetus. Fish, fish oils and some vegetable oils are rich sources of omega-3 FAs. According to the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition guidelines (2004), a healthy adult should consume a minimum of two portions of fish a week to obtain the health benefit. This review outlines the health implications, dietary sources, deficiency states and recommended allowances of omega-3 FAs in relation to human nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Melaka Manipal Medical College, 75150, Melaka, Malaysia.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Yashodhara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Umakanth
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pappachan
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Choo