RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Omega-3 fatty acids: a comprehensive review of their role in health and disease
JF Postgraduate Medical Journal
JO Postgrad Med J
FD The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine
SP 84
OP 90
DO 10.1136/pgmj.2008.073338
VO 85
IS 1000
A1 B M Yashodhara
A1 S Umakanth
A1 J M Pappachan
A1 S K Bhat
A1 R Kamath
A1 B H Choo
YR 2009
UL http://pmj.bmj.com/content/85/1000/84.abstract
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.