Omega-3 Research

Harris, S William "n-3 Fatty Acids and Serum Lipoproteins: Human Studies," Am J Clin Nutr Vol. 65 pp. 154-164 1997.

Omega-3s EPA and DHA are agents to prevent/treat Arthritis

The effects of EPA and DHA, marine Omega-3 fatty acids have been repeatedly proven as agents that prevent/treat atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis in several ways. Most profoundly, amongst all of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA, and its reduction of triacyglycerol levels. Yet at the time, the majority of preceding trials produced results that were unclear with respects to the mechanisms behind these effects.

The purpose of this study:

Determine whether the reduction of coronary mortality was mediated by minimal changes in serum lipid, altered eicosanoid metabolism, or by mechanisms unrelated to n-3 fatty acids clarify the affects of marine and plant derivative n-3 PUFA's on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in human blood.

Over a mean duration of 7-10 weeks, the Omega-3 fatty acid groups in the crossover designed trials showed a 25% reduction in triacyglycerol concentrations (reduced VLDL cholesterol) in normal subjects and 34% (reduction) in hypertriacylglycerolemic subjects, (individuals with high triacyglycerol levels) in as little as two to four weeks. Like the crossover, the parallel group, over a mean duration of 19 weeks, had lowered triacyglycerol levels in both hypertriacylglycerolemic and normal subjects. In conclusion, marine-3 fatty acids DHA and more specifically EPA had reduced in both designs VLDL triacyglycerol levels especially individuals with hypertriacylglycerolemic conditions. Marine derivative Omega-3 fatty acids were more effective per/dosage to it's metabolic precursor, a-linolenic acid.

The initial uncertainty on the mechanisms behind the effects of n-3 fatty acids was addressed in this study by an analysis from the results of 36 placebo-controlled studies. It is now a well established fact that Omega-3 and Omega-6 PUFA's prevent and treat hyperlipidemia, hypertension, arthritis, psoriasis, nephritis, colitis, migraine headaches, and coronary heart disease.