The role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Growing evidence has suggested an important role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population and patients with preexisting heart disease. In particular, several long-term epidemiologic studies have found an inverse association between fish consumption and risk of coronary heart disease or stroke. Two secondary prevention trials have found that increasing fish consumption or fish oil supplementation significantly reduced coronary death among patients with existing myocardial infarction. In addition, epidemiologic and clinical studies have suggested that alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a short-chain n3-3 fatty acid from plant sources, may have similar cardiac benefits as long-chain n-3 fatty acids from fish. Potential mechanisms through which n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against CVD include their antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic effects, and improving insulin sensitivity and endothelial function. (c) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.