Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Secondary Prevention

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cancer Prevention

A recent review has summarized the evidence that omega-3 fatty acids (FA) have potential in reducing the risk for a common form of cancer [1]. This editorial is a synopsis of that review covering the historical interest in the potential health benefits of omega-3 FA; the mechanistic rationale for such beneficial effect; and the experimental and clinical evidence that omega-3 supplementation cou...

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: a necessity for a comprehensive secondary prevention strategy

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation has been used for the secondary prevention of fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). However, the benefit of this therapy is frequently confused with other established treatments in the therapeutic strategy among such patients. We review the data on omega-3 PUFA use in secondary care and consider indications for its us...

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Coronary Heart Disease Prevention

The interest in Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary heart disease has arisen only over the course of the past 25 years. In the 1970s, Danish investigators studied heart disease rates in native peoples of Greenland and discovered significantly lower levels of acute myocardial infarction in Eskimos compared with ageand sex-matched Danes. On further investigation, Bang and Dyerberg co...

Low-dose omega-3 fatty acids in margarines prove disappointing as secondary prevention

Omega-3 fatty acids for cardioprotection.

The most compelling evidence for the cardiovascular benefit provided by omega-3 fatty acids comes from 3 large controlled trials of 32,000 participants randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or to act as controls. These trials showed reductions in cardiovascular events of 19% to 45%. These findings suggest that ...