Beyond the Mediterranean diet: the role of omega-3 Fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease |
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Authors: | Harper Charles R Jacobson Terry A |
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Institution: | Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. charper@emory.edu |
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Abstract: | Evidence from epidemiologic and clinical secondary prevention trials suggest that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) may have a significant role in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Dietary sources of n-3 PUFAs include fish oils, rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, along with plants rich in a-linolenic acid. Randomized secondary prevention clinical trials with fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid) and a-linolenic acid have demonstrated reductions in risk that compare favorably to those seen in landmark secondary prevention trials with lipid-lowering drugs. Several mechanisms explaining the cardioprotective effect of the n-3 PUFA have been suggested including antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic roles. Although official US guidelines for the dietary intake of n-3 PUFA are not available, several international guidelines have been published. Fish is an important source of the n-3 PUFA in the US diet; however, vegetable sources including grains and oils offer an alternative source for those who are unable to regularly consume fish. |
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