Omega-3 fatty acids play roles in several important biological processes. Your body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids, so they must be consumed from the diet, and for this reason they are called essential fatty acids. Health supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids are used to treat a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure. Part of the beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease is due to their effect on fat molecules known as triglycerides.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of naturally occurring compound that cannot be produced by humans; they are only made in other animals and plants. Different types of omega-3 fatty acids can be found in different foods. For example, two omega-3 fatty acids that have many health benefits, eicosapentaenoic acid, abbreviated EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, abbreviated DHA, are only found in seafood, especially cold-water fatty fishes like herring and salmon. Another type of omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, abbreviated ALA, is found in several types of nuts and seeds, including walnuts, flaxseeds and soybeans.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat molecule found in the body. Most dietary fat is found in the form of triglycerides, and most of the fat in your body is stored and transported in the form of triglycerides. Obesity and high intake of dietary fat lead to high levels of triglycerides in the blood, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The presence of high levels of triglycerides in the blood is known as hypertriglyceridemia.
Effect of Omega-3s on Triglycerides
One of the best documented health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is their effect on triglyceride levels in the blood. A study published in the April 2009 issue of the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" reports that the researchers who conducted a large review of all trials involving omega-3 fatty acids found agreement among many studies that treatment with EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids lowers levels of triglycerides in the blood by 25 to 30 percent.
Other Health Benefits
The evidence for treating other health conditions with omega-3 fatty acids is not as strong as the evidence for triglycerides. However, there is supporting evidence for omega-3 fatty acids in treating high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis, and for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis, reports MedlinePlus. Omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of other health conditions, including menstrual pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, kidney problems, depression and bipolar disorder.
References
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Essential Fatty Acids
- American Heart Association: What Are Triglycerides?
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; A Systemic Review of the Roles of n-3 Fatty Acids in Health and Disease; Natalie D. Riediger et al.; April 2009
