International Omega-3 Learning and Education Consortium for Health and Medicine

The recent international recognition of Jorn Dyerberg, MD, PhD, by the American Dietetic Association for his research on omega-3 fatty acids that sparked the interest in these essential fatty acids underscores the importance of the consortium in developing educational materials. The medical findings section of the website is intended to facilitate learning about specific clinical applications and discoveries on omega-3 fatty acids for use by physicians, health professionals, clinical investigators and medical students.

Dietary requirements - growth and development

The omega-3 fatty acids are structural components of cells of the neural system and essential for brain development. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the principle omega-3 fatty acid essential for brain and retina development in the infant.

The new report for dietary reference intakes (DRI) by the Food and Nutrition Board (INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES) provides the first comprehensive recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids in the United States. The DRI for omega-3 fatty acids place a primary emphasis on adequate consumption of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) to satisfy the principle requirement for all ages and both genders. To a lesser extent, provisions for modest recommended intakes are made for the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The daily adequate intakes for ALA are 1.6 and 1.1 g/d for adult men and women, respectively. The acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR) for ALA is 0.6 to 1.2 % of daily energy intake. Both EPA and DHA can satisfy 10% of the AMDR (0.06 to 0.12% energy) for omega-3 fatty acids, and an optimal ratio of linoleic acid/ALA (n-6/n-3 fatty acids) is proposed to range from 5 to 10.

Omega-3s are in infant formula

The brain and retina require the long-chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA or 22:6n-3). Nutritional support with DHA enhances specific physiological responses in retina and brain when infants are provided with breast milk containing DHA. Therefore, DHA, naturally found in breast milk, is an important building block for a baby's brain and eyes. Many infant formulas sold in the United States today contain added DHA and arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid that is crucial for infant development).

Adults with high blood triglycerides

The serum level of triglycerides is positively associated with an increase in coronary heart disease and multiple factors influence the elevation of serum triglycerides throughout life. Both DHA and EPA, that are abundant in many marine products, appear to support cardiovascular health and lower blood triglyceride levels. It is known that fish oil can reduce serum triglyceride levels by 20-50%, similar to that for statin, niacin and fibrate. It is recommended by the American Heart Association that the general public consume 2 servings of fish per week for people with cardiovascular diseases. A prescription form of DHA, Lovaza (formerly known as Omacor), is a good omega-3 source available for people with high levels of blood triglycerides. Each Lovaza 1 gram capsule contains 465 mg EPA ethyl ester, 375 mg DHA ethyl ester, 80 mg of other omega-3 fatty acids, 30 mg of omega-6 fatty acids and 50 mg of antioxidants. It is prescribed as an adjunct to diet to reduce very high triglyceride levels in adult patients.

Reduce coronary heart disease

Accumulated evidence indicates that long chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, DHA and EPA, decrease the risk of coronary heart disease and ischemic heart disease. The Physician's Health Study reported that consumption of one or more servings of fish per week was associated with a 52% lower risk of sudden cardiac disease compared to less than one fish meal per week. In another study, the Nurses Health Study in America, it was found that consumption of 5 or more servings of fish per week was associated with 45% fewer cardiac deaths compared to consumption of one fish meal per month. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to be a protective dietary factor for cardiovascular disease since both DHA and EPA have hypotriacylglycerolemeic activity and act as antiarrhythmic agents. The American Heart Association made comprehensive reviews of the data between fish / fish oil consumption and cardiovascular disease. The report recommends dietary or supplemental fish oil for individuals with heart disease and elevated triglyceride levels. A report prepared in 2003 by The Third Task Force of European and Other Societies also recommended fish oil as a standard therapy for post-infarction management.

Diet and chronic disease - Hot topics

In medicine, omega-3 fatty acids are being investigated to determine whether they can effectively improve a wide range of disease states-among them heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, depression, Alzheimer's and attention deficit disorder - making this group of nutrients an exciting and very active area of clinical research. Ensuring that omega-3 fatty acids are a part of the diet as recommended by dietary guidelines is a proper starting point to achieve better health; hence, a great opportunity exists in the potential for improving the human condition with omega-3 fatty acids.

For information about a healthy diet in the United States refer to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Refer to our Library page for more specific information and current research on omega-3 fatty acids

Some examples of omega-3 hot topics of research include:

• Epidemiological studies on long-chain omega-3 fatty acids [docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)] suggest an inverse relationship of dietary intake with cognitive impairment and decline or dementia like Alzheimer's disease. Emerging evidence suggests that DHA may reduce dementia in aging adults supporting a role for omega-3 throughout the life cycle. Supplementation with DHA and EPA was reported to improve mental health in schizophrenic subjects and may improve cognitive function in the elderly with dementia.
• Epidemiological studies reveal that populations consuming omega-3 fatty acids may experience a lower incidence of cancers and may improve disease conditions associated with chronic inflammation. The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA can reduce tissue levels of the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid which is the precursor for prostaglandin E₂ production, a potent pro-inflammatory compound in the body. In this case, certain omega-3 fatty acids may help control inflammatory processes that contribute to disease.
• American Heart Association guidelines and recent studies indicate that given their high cardiovascular risk, hemodialysis patients consume inadequate amounts of dietary omega-3 and have suboptimal omega-3 blood levels. Supplementation of these patients resulted in an increase of omega-3 fatty acids in blood.