PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - B M Yashodhara
AU  - S Umakanth
AU  - J M Pappachan
AU  - S K Bhat
AU  - R Kamath
AU  - B H Choo
TI  - Omega-3 fatty acids: a comprehensive review of their role in health and disease
AID  - 10.1136/pgmj.2008.073338
DP  - 2009 Feb 01
TA  - Postgraduate Medical Journal
PG  - 84--90
VI  - 85
IP  - 1000
4099  - http://pmj.bmj.com/content/85/1000/84.short
4100  - http://pmj.bmj.com/content/85/1000/84.full
SO  - Postgrad Med J2009 Feb 01; 85
AB  - Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) are essential fatty acids with diverse biological effects in human health and disease. Reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is a well-established benefit of their intake. Dietary supplementation may also benefit patients with dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, inflammatory diseases, neurological/ neuropsychiatric disorders and eye diseases. Consumption of ω-3 FAs during pregnancy reduces the risk of premature birth and improves intellectual development of the fetus. Fish, fish oils and some vegetable oils are rich sources of ω-3 FAs. According to the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition guidelines (2004), a healthy adult should consume a minimum of two portions of fish a week to obtain the health benefit. This review outlines the health implications, dietary sources, deficiency states and recommended allowances of ω-3 FAs in relation to human nutrition.