Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids: partners in prevention.
OBJECTIVE
This review addresses the cardiovascular benefits of the two families of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs): omega-6 and omega-3. The former (and the shorter chain species of the latter) are found in vegetable oils and nuts, whereas the longer chain omega-3 FAs are found in fish oils. Although most clinicians understand that the omega-3 FAs are beneficial, there have been calls in the popular press to reduce the intake of the omega-6 FAs because of presumed proinflammatory and prothrombotic effects.


RESULTS
The American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee has published two 'Science Advisories', one in 2002 on omega-3 FAs and a new one on omega-6 FAs. Both considered a wide variety of data regarding their effects on cardiac risk.


CONCLUSIONS
The AHA concludes that Americans need to increase their intake of long-chain omega-3 FAs and that they should maintain (and possibly even increase) their intakes of omega-6 FAs. For the omega-3 FAs, a healthy target intake is about 500 mg per day (whether from oily fish or fish oil capsules) and for linoleic acid, approximately 15 g per day (12 g for women and 17 g for men). Achieving healthy intakes of both omega-6 and omega-3 FAs is an important component of the nutritional prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease.
Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota and Sanford Research/USD, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105, USA. harrisw@sanfordhealth.org
William
W
Harris
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male
D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D019787:Linoleic Acid