Omega-3 fatty acids and non-communicable diseases.
- Author:
Duo LI
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Diabetes Mellitus; therapy; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; administration & dosage; pharmacology; Humans; Hypertension; prevention & control; Inflammation; prevention & control; Lipids; blood; Mental Disorders; therapy; Neoplasms; prevention & control; Thrombosis; prevention & control
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2003;116(3):453-458
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo review the relation between dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) and non-communicable diseases.
METHODData were collected from scientific journals and conference publications, MEDLINE (1979 - 2002) and current content which included 68 prospective, cross-sectional, case control and dietary-intervention studies. Scientific paper selections were based on the association between omega-3 PUFA and non-communicable diseases.
RESULTSomega-3 PUFA has beneficial effects on increasing heart rate variability, decreasing the risk of stroke, reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. Long chain omega-3 PUFA has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. omega-3 PUFA has also been reported to have a beneficial effect on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia, and may be effective in managing depression in adults.
CONCLUSIONSResults from epidemiological and dietary intervention studies have shown that omega-3 PUFA represent powerfully a class of bioactive compounds and that dietary intake of omega-3 PUFA plays a critical role in human health in relation to non-communicable diseases.
