Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension: a randomized pilot study.

BackgroundOmega-3 fatty acids prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure. Benefits in patients without overt CVD have not been demonstrated, though most studies did not use treatment doses (3.36 g) of omega-3 fatty acids. Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts CVD events independent of standard risk factors. However, no therapy has been shown to reduce PWV in a blood pressure-independent manner. We assessed the effects of esterified omega-3 fatty acids on PWV and serum markers of inflammation among patients with hypertension.Design and methodsWe performed a prospective, randomized; double-blinded pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids among 62 patients in an urban, safety net hospital. Patients received 3.36 g of omega-3 fatty acids vs. matched placebo daily for 3-months. The principal outcome measure was change in brachial-ankle PWV. Serum inflammatory markers associated with CVD risk were also assessed.ResultsThe majority (71 %) were of Latino ethnicity. After 3-months, mean change in arterial PWV among omega-3 and placebo groups was -97 cm/s vs. -33 cm/s respectively (p = 0.36 for difference, after multivariate adjustment for baseline age, systolic blood pressure, and serum adiponectin). Non-significant reductions in lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) mass and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) relative to placebo were also observed (p = 0.08, and 0.21, respectively).ConclusionHigh-dose omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce arterial PWV or markers of inflammation among patients within a Latino-predominant population with hypertension.Clinical trial registrationNCT00935766 , registered July 8 2009

Camelina success story

Camelina sativa is an ancient oilseed crop, which has been cultivated in Europe during the iron and bronze ages. The seeds contain about 40 % oil. Camelina oil has an excellent fatty acid composition: 40 % omega-3 fatty acids and 16 % omega-6 fatty acids

Hydrated lime matrix decreases ruminal biohydrogenation of flaxseed fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients for humans, but dietary intake of these nutrients by many Americans is inadequate due to low consumption of omega-3-rich foods such as fish, walnuts, and flaxseed. In contrast, per capita consumption of red meat is relatively high, but these products normally contain only small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Feeding cattle diets that contain omega-3 fatty acids has consistently increased the proportion of the desirable fats that accumulate in beef. Unfortunately, the proportion of dietary omega-3 fats that are deposited into beef tissues is relatively low, because microorganisms within the rumen biohydrogenate the unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids extensively to produce the saturated fats that are characteristic of beef fat. Encapsulation of fats has been proposed as a method for improving efficiency of transfer of omega-3 fats into beef. Encapsulation processes apply a protective barrier on the surface of fats or fat-containing feeds, which theoretically decreases fats’ susceptibility to microbial biohydrogenation. Protective coatings must remain intact to retain their functionality, and physical damage to the coatings that occurs with normal handling can result in poor efficacy because the core material is exposed to microorganisms in the rumen. Embedding feed particles within a homogeneous protective matrix constitutes a potentially useful alternative to protective surface barriers. The matrix is created by mixing feed particles that are to be protected with a suitable matrix material that is resistant to microbial digestion and subsequently forming the mixture into pills. In cases where physical damage occurs, exposure of the core material is confined to the broken surface, and the remainder of the matrix retains its ruminal stability. The objective of this study was to determine if embedding flaxseed within a matrix of hydrated dolomitic lime could be used as a method to decrease biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, thus improving efficiency of omega-3 fatty acids absorption into the bloodstream

Effect of various dietary fats on fatty acid profile in duck liver: Efficient conversion of short-chain to long-chain omega-3 fatty acids

Citation: Chen, X., Du, X., Shen, J., Lu, L., & Wang, W. (2016). Effect of various dietary fats on fatty acid profile in duck liver: Efficient conversion of short-chain to long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 1535370216664031. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370216664031Omega-3 fatty acids, especially long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, have been associated with potential health benefits for chronic disease prevention. Our previous studies found that dietary omega-3 fatty acids could accumulate in the meat and eggs in a duck model. This study was to reveal the effects of various dietary fats on fatty acid profile and conversion of omega-3 fatty acids in duck liver. Female Shan Partridge Ducks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments, each consisting of 6 replicates of 30 birds. The experimental diets substituted the basal diet by 2% of flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, beef tallow, or fish oil, respectively. In addition, a dose response study was further conducted for flaxseed and fish oil diets at 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, respectively. At the end of the five-week treatment, fatty acids were extracted from the liver samples and analyzed by GC-FID. As expected, the total omega-3 fatty acids and the ratio of total omega-3/omega-6 significantly increased in both flaxseed and fish oil groups when compared with the control diet. No significant change of total saturated fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids was found in both rapeseed and beef tallow groups. The dose response study further indicated that 59Ð81% of the short-chain omega-3 ALA in flaxseed oil-fed group was efficiently converted to long-chain DHA in the duck liver, whereas 1% of dietary flaxseed oil could produce an equivalent level of DHA as 0.5% of dietary fish oil. The more omega-3 fatty acids, the less omega-6 fatty acids in the duck liver. Taken together, this study showed the fatty acid profiling in the duck liver after various dietary fat consumption, provided insight into a dose response change of omega-3 fatty acids, indicated an efficient conversion of short- to long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, and suggested alternative long-chain omega-3 fatty acid-enriched duck products for human health benefits

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Swine Reproduction - A Review

A literature review was conducted to examine the role dietary omega-3 fatty acids may play in swine reproduction. Omega-3 fatty acids are not normally present to any great extent in practical swine diets, but they are increasingly important in human and pet health. Swine nutritionists have focused primarily on the effect omega-3 fatty acids may have on littler size, piglet preweaning mortality, and boar fertility. Feeding omega-3 fatty acids to sows has not generally improved litter size. Piglet preweaning mortality may be improved by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation provided sows are allowed to farrow naturally (without induction). Boar fertility seems to be positively influenced by feeding omega-3 fatty acids. The optimum amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The optimum amount of omega-3 fatty acids to add to breeding herd diets, which aspect(s) of the reproductive cycle they should be provided for best results, and the preferred sources require greater clarification

Proximate composition and fatty acid and cholesterol content of 22 species of northwest Atlantic finfish

The moisture, fat, ash, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol content are reported for cooked and raw fillets from 22 species of finfish found in the Northwest Atlantic. All but nine species had 1%or less fat. Ocean perch and a spring sampling of mackerel and wolffiSh had about 2% fat, followed by yellowfin tuna, whiting, silver hake, butterfish, and a summer -sampling of mackerel and wolffish with a range of 3-7% fat. Herring had a range of 5-12% fat representing a winter sampling on the low end and summer sampling on the high end of the range. Bluefin tuna (a summer sampling) contained the most fat with a high of 23% fat. Omega-3 fatty acids were present in excess of omega-6 fatty acids. The fattier fISh supplied the most omega-3 fatty acids per gram of tissue. The mean cholesterol content for all species was 57 ± 16 mg/l00 g raw tissue. Finfish from the Northwest Atlantic would appear to fit into the regime for a healthy heart, being low in fat and cholesterol and rich in omega-3 fatty acids.(PDF file contains 42 pages.

Omega 3 versus Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in cardio-metabolic health

Background: Cardiometabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity across the globe. These conditions are directly attributed to modifiable behaviors such as sedentary activity, poor diet, excessive consumption of alcohol, or smoking. Efforts aimed towards their prevention and management are, therefore, not only essential in the accomplishment of the healthy populations but also for eliminating the associated cost and health burdens. Dietary change is an important approach to the promotion of cardiometabolic health. Omega 3 (C20–22 ω 3) polyunsaturated fatty acids have pleiotropic effects on the functioning of cells, control inflammatory factors and cellular events in vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. The hypolipemic, anti-arrhythmic, and anti-inflammatory properties of fatty acids offer cardioprotection. Government agencies and national heart associations recommend increased consumption of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplements and fish to prevent cardiometabolic diseases. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role played by ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in promoting cardiometabolic health. Methods: The research study searched databases such as MEDLINE®, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL® and the Cochrane Library for relevant research studies evaluating the function/benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids particularly ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in promoting cardiometabolic functions published between 2011 and 2020. A total of 77 research studies were identified and used in the meta-analysis. Results: Results from the meta-analysis indicated that polyunsaturated fatty acids lower the risk for cardiovascular disease by limiting inflammation of blood vessels, reducing thrombosis, increasing levels of high-density lipoproteins, reducing levels of low-density lipoproteins, and reducing risk factors associated with hypertension. Conclusion. Given the benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids lower the risk for cardiovascular diseases indicted in the meta-analysis. Therefore, human diets must contain the required amounts of PUFA due to the associated benefits. Keywords: Omega-3, Omega-6, Polyunsaturated fatty acids, Cardiometabolic healt

The Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Mental Illness

Purpose: This article will summarize the current evidence on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on prevention and treatment of mental illness. Background: Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in many physiologic processes. Since they cannot be made de novo in the body, they are considered essential nutrients. As the Western diet evolved, dietary intake of fatty acids has shifted to increased omega-6 fatty acids and decreased omega-3 fatty acids intake. These changes have been correlated with numerous differences in prevalence and course of mental illnesses. Methods: A MEDLINE search from 1966 to December 2010 was completed to identify studies comparing changes in symptoms, functioning, other outcomes, and/or side effects in patients treated with omega-3 fatty acids for mental illness. The studies were reviewed and reported by specific psychiatric disorder studied. Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in many biologic functions. Epidemiologic data implicate omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies in many mental illnesses. Data are most robust for omega-3 fatty acids’ role in affective disorders. However, data are conflicting, negative, or absent for most mental illnesses

Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids predict accelerated decline of peripheral nerve function in older persons

Pre-clinical studies suggest that both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on peripheral nerve function. Rats feed a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showed modification of phospholipid fatty acid composition in nerve membranes and improvement of sciatic nerve conduction velocity (NCV). We tested the hypothesis that baseline plasma omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids levels predict accelerated decline of peripheral nerve function. Changes between baseline and the 3-year follow-up in peripheral nerve function was assessed by standard surface ENG of the right peroneal nerve in 384 male and 443 female participants of the InCHIANTI study (age range: 24-97 years). Plasma concentrations of selected fatty acids assessed at baseline by gas chromatography. Independent of confounders, plasma omega-6 fatty acids and linoleic acid were significantly correlated with peroneal NCV at enrollment. Lower plasma PUFA, omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid, ratio omega-6/omega-3, arachidonic acid and docosahexanoic acid levels were significantly predicted a steeper decline in nerve function parameters over the 3-year follow-up. Low plasma omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids levels were associated with accelerated decline of peripheral nerve function with aging. © 2007 EFNS

Dose-response effects of omega-3 on platelet aggregation: an observational study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the dose-response effects of supplemental omega-3 fatty acids on platelet function in healthy volunteers.MethodsTwelve healthy volunteers ingested a normal supplemental dose of 1260 mg omega-3 fatty acids daily for 5 days, followed by a high dose of 2520 mg daily for another 5 days. Multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) with four different agonists was used to measure platelet aggregation before and after the normal- and high-dose regimes. In vitro spiking using physiological doses of omega-3 fatty acids was also performed to determine whether MEA is capable of detecting a platelet-inhibiting effect due to omega-3 fatty acids.ResultsThere were no differences in platelet aggregation measured by the MEA assay in healthy volunteers after intake of either the normal or high dose of omega-3 fatty acids. In the in vitro experiment, a platelet-inhibiting effect of omega-3 fatty acids was shown by an arachidonic acid agonist in MEA .ConclusionsSupplemental omega-3 fatty acids do not evoke their positive health effects through inhibition of platelet aggregation measurable with MEA