Indications for Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.
BACKGROUND
The National Heart Foundation of Australia (NHFA) 2008 review on omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) made recommendations with respect to supplementation for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Since then, new findings have been published regarding the relationship between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including supplementation, and cardiovascular health.


METHODS
A literature search was undertaken in PubMed and Medline, for literature published between January 1, 2007 and August 31, 2013.


CONCLUSIONS
A total of eight research questions were developed and, using the National Health and Medical Research Council's evidence assessment framework, conclusions were made in relation to dietary intake of fish and omega-3 LCPUFA for cardiovascular health. In the evidence published since 2007, this summary of evidence concludes that dietary intake of fish was found to be mostly consistent with respect to protection from heart disease and stroke. Higher fish intake was associated with lower incident rates of heart failure in addition to lower sudden cardiac death, stroke and myocardial infarction. In relation to omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation, neither a beneficial nor adverse effect was demonstrated in primary or secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Although the evidence continues to be positive for the role of omega-3 LCPUFA in the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia and a modest positive benefit in heart failure. No further evidence was found to support the consumption of 2g alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)/day over the current Australian guidelines for 1 g/day.
Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Vic Australia. Electronic address: paul.nestel@bakeridi.edu.au.
Paul
P
Nestel
School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia.
Peter
P
Clifton
Wesley Medical Centre, Greenslopes Hospital, and University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
David
D
Colquhoun
Animal, Food and Health Sciences, CSIRO, Australia.
Manny
M
Noakes
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Trevor A
TA
Mori
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
David
D
Sullivan
National Heart Foundation of Australia, Australia.
Beth
B
Thomas
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
Cardiovascular disease; Fish consumption; Fish oil; Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements; Recent evidence.