The protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids relate specifically to the following risk factors [3, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30].
- Hypertriglyceridemia
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Fibrinogen level
- Arterial hypertension
- Increased blood clotting tendency
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Apoplexy (stroke)
- Circulatory or cardiac arrhythmias
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
From a multi-arm mega-study of patients after myocardial infarction (heart attack) published in 1999, it was concluded that the use of omega-3 fatty acids is still useful even if a heart attack has already occurred. The administration of omega-3 concentrate capsules for 3.5 years reduced the cardiovascular risk by up to 30% in patients after a heart attack. Lowering blood lipids (blood fat levels) – prevention of cardiovascular disease [3, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30].
- Lowering triglyceride levels – elevated triglyceride levels are an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction.
- Lowering total cholesterol
- Lowering of LDL cholesterol
- Increase in HDL cholesterol
- Inhibition of VLDL synthesis in the liver.
- Accelerated elimination of VLDL from the blood.
- Inhibition of lipogenic enzymes in the liver.
- Increased excretion of steroids and bile acids.
These preventive effects are most impressive in the so-called high-risk groups. There, the blood lipid reductions are particularly pronounced. The omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), inhibit the synthesis and secretion of VLDL (engl. very low density lipoproteins). By increasing lipoprotein lipase activity, more triglycerides (TG) are removed from VLDL, thus promoting VLDL degradation. Daily intake of 1.5 g to 3 g of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) can reduce TG levels by 25% to 30% in a dose-dependent manner. An intake of 5 g to 6 g can reduce TG by up to 60%. This amount of omega-3 fatty acids is hardly manageable in the framework of a fish-rich diet in everyday life, which is why the use of fish oil capsules is recommended. In contrast to animal omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable omega-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid have no effect on TG levels. Increase blood flow and decrease blood pressure [3, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30].
- Improvement of deformability and increased flexibility of erythrocytes (red blood cells) due to incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids into the cell wall.
- Improvement of blood flow and inhibition of blood clotting.
- Stimulation of the formation of nitric oxide (NO = Endothelium Derived Relaxing Factor) – vasodilation.
- Reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure – the reduction is more pronounced, the higher the baseline values were.
Prevention of proatherogenic and prothrombotic factors [3, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30].
- Formation of growth factors-platelet-derived growth factor.
- Expression of growth correlated genes
- Growth of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts.
- Synthesis of platelet-activating factor.
- Reduction of plasma fibrinogen by induction of plasminogen activator formation and inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor synthesis.
- Release of cytokines – interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
- Sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation.
- Calcium and sodium channel activity.
- Activity of calcium magnesium ATP-ase
Influencing rheumatoid diseases [3, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30]Therapeutic studies found that in patients with rheumatoid diseases, daily administration of 2.7 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.8 g of docosahexaenoic acid within 15 days resulted in improvement of a number of clinical parameters. Affected individuals reported improved mobility of affected joints, a decrease in morning stiffness, and a decrease in inflammatory parameters. In addition, administration of EPA and DHA significantly reduced the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Other effects [3, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 30].
- Radical scavenger
- Stabilization and fluidity of the cell membrane and positive influence on cell functions – omega-3 fatty acids are mainly incorporated into the phospholipids of cell membranes.
- Relief from menstrual cramps
Important note!The effects of omega-3 fatty acids are based on the fact that eicosapentaenoic acid reduces the conversion of omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid to arachidonic acid – product inhibition – and competes with arachidonic acid for the enzymes necessary for eicosanoid synthesis – desaturases, elongases, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases – competitive inhibition. Omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, in contrast to oleic and linoleic acids, has the highest affinity for both delta-6 desaturase – conversion to EPA – and cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase – synthesis of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. Finally, a diet containing alpha-linolenic acid can decrease the turnover of arachidonic acid and increase the synthesis of EPA. Thus, the formation of the strongly proinflammatory mediators – prostaglandins of series 2 and the leukotrienes LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4 – is reduced and the formation of such eicosanoids that inhibit inflammatory processes is promoted. We are talking about series 3 prostaglandins. Since the conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively, is very slow, the intake of fatty marine fish and the direct administration of EPA and DHA, respectively, is essential to shift the balance to more positively acting prostaglandins. Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactationAn adequate intake of EPA and DHA plays a crucial role during pregnancy and lactation. Both the unborn child and the infant are unable to synthesize the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA themselves. Omega-3 fatty acids promote the development of cognitive functions and visual ability of the fetus still during pregnancy, but also in the course of breastfeeding and further fetal development.Relatively new is the finding that omega-3 fatty acids minimize pregnancy complaints, such as preeclampsia and risks within pregnancy, and protect against both premature birth and low birth weight. Components of cell membranes – structural functionThe majority of omega-3 essential fatty acids are incorporated into the phospholipids of cell membranes as well as the membranes of cell organelles, such as mitochondria and lysosomes. There, EPA and DHA have a beneficial effect on fluidity (flowability) and cellular functions that depend on it.Phospholipids are found in all body cells, especially those of the nervous system. The brain contains the largest amount of structural fat, relatively speaking.Finally, omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the brain, especially for nerve conduction. For brain development in the fetus, DHA in particular plays a crucial role.With a marginal intake of omega-3 fatty acids, increased proinflammatory eicosanoids are formed from the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid. These include series 2 prostaglandins – TXA2, PGE2, PGI2 – and the leukotrienes LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4. Thromboxane A2 promotes platelet aggregation and has a vasoconstrictor effect. Thus, thromboxane promotes blood clotting. Leukotriene B4 exhibits proinflammatory and potent chemotactic effects.A diet rich in arachidonic acid also leads to increased synthesis of proinflammatory mediators and therefore represents a risk factor for the development of rheumatoid diseases, among others.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Docosahexaenoic acid is an integral component of nerve cell membranes and is found particularly enriched in the brain and in the retina (retina). There, DHA is required for normal development and function of both brain and retinal nerve cells.Scientific studies show that DHA is important for the eye pigment rhodopsin. Rhodopsin forms the visual pigment in the retina and is necessary to receive and transmit light signals, making vision possible.
Importance of DHA during pregnancy and lactation
The central finding of quite a few studies is that adequate supply of DHA during pregnancy and lactation contributes critically to the development and health of the child-particularly to the development of the brain, central nervous system, and vision.Expectant mothers are able to store long-chain, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids in the body through a complex mechanism. When needed, the organism can then draw on this reserve. After birth, however, this reserve is replenished only very slowly or incompletely – only a diet rich in EPA and DHA can prevent this deficiency.Prenatal and early childhood nutrition influences later susceptibility to disease and mortality in a decisive way. Docosahexaenoic acid is incorporated into the brain tissue of the unborn as early as 26 to 40 weeks of gestation, and the mother’s DHA status is critical to the degree of accumulation. During this time, nerve tissue and central brain functions are formed. During the last trimester of pregnancy, DHA content in the cerebrum and cerebellum of the fetus increases threefold.During the last half of pregnancy, DHA is also increasingly incorporated into the tissue of the retina – the time when the main development of the eye takes place. The human brain is composed of 60% fatty acids, with docosahexaenoic acid making up the largest proportion.DHA is accumulated in 15 to 20% of the cerebral cortex and 30 to 60% in the retina. Omega-3 fatty acid is essential for membrane fluidity and keeps neurons elastic and active. Even after birth, the mother must ensure an adequate supply of DHA due to the ongoing brain and eye development of the child.There is a direct correlation between maternal DHA intake and the DHA content in breast milk. Docosahexaenoic acid represents the dominant omega-3 fatty acid in women’s milk.Studies performed on infants who died suddenly showed a clear difference in DHA content between breastfed infants and those fed formula baby food. The breastfed infants had a much higher DHA concentration. Well-functioning nerve cells are a prerequisite for the child’s mental development – they support learning, memory, thinking and concentration processes and thus lay the foundation for intelligence.An undersupply of docosahexaenoic acid in prenatal and early childhood growth can therefore impair the child’s physical and mental development and lead to lower intelligence and poorer visual acuity. Premature infants born before 32 weeks of gestation have significantly lower brain DHA concentrations than normally developing infants. Studies made clear that preterm infants, in contrast to normal infants, score on average 15 points lower on an IQ test later in life. Finally, it is particularly important in preterm infants to compensate for initial DHA deficiency with a DHA-rich diet.Low DHA concentrations correlate with
- Memory loss
- Decrease in the ability to see
- Deterioration of the ability to learn, remember, think and concentrate.
- Changes in neurological functions – for example, DHA deficiency can lead to depression.
- Dyslexia – learning disorder characterized by impaired ability to read and comprehend words or text with normal vision and hearing
- Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) with hyperactivity.
