OMEGA-3-FATTY-ACIDS IN THE PREVENTION-MANAGEMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE

Epidemiologic studies show that populations who eat fish versus those who do not have a reduced death rate from cardiovascular disease. Expe rimental studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids affect the functi on of cells involved in atherothrombosis in numerous ways, including t he modification of eicosanoid products in the cyclooxygenase and lipox ygenase pathways, the reduced synthesis of cytokines and platelet-deri ved growth factor, and alterations of leukocyte and endothelial cell p roperties. Intervention studies in patients with restenosis, myocardia l infarction, and cardiac arrhythmias with omega-3 fatty acid suppleme ntation have been addressed in several clinical studies. The ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids following one episode of myocardial infarction appears to decrease the rate of cardiac death. These effects of omega -3 fatty acids appear to be due to their antiarrhythmic properties. Ln fact, fish oil has been shown to reduce ventricular arrhythmias and t o be more beneficial than currently used pharmacologic agents. The dos e, duration, and mechanisms involved in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease following omega-3 fatty acid ingestion or su pplementation need to be investigated by double blind controlled clini cal trials.