Omega-3 Fatty Acid Treatment of Hyperlipidemia: Efficacy and Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Recent studies by Bang and Dyerberg [1] have stimulated interest in the metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids and have suggested a link between the ingestion of these fatty acids in a diet and the low death rate from atherosclerotic disease in Eskimos. In Japan, where fish consumption has traditionally been high, a concomitant shift in tissue lipid consumption favouring omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been interpreted as a reason for the relatively low incidence of cardiovascular disease [1]. On analyzing the Eskimo diet, it became clear that the consumption of omega-3 PUFA is much higher, besides a 50% reduction of saturated fat and a relatively high content of monounsaturated fat with a chain length of more than 18 carbon atoms. The total fat intake of the Eskimos is in the order of 40% of total calories per day, as high a proportion as in Western diets. In addition, daily cholesterol intake averages almost 800 mg, even higher than in most Western diets.