Omega 3 in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
A public health problem in developed countries!
According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of mortality in the world(1). It is estimated that 17.7 million deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases, i.e. 31% of total world mortality. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.4 million are due to coronary heart disease and 6.7 million to stroke (2015 figures).
Cardiovascular disease can be prevented by reducing risk factors. These are mainly behavioral, such as smoking, excess alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and poor diet.
It cannot be repeated enough, adopting a healthy lifestyle, integrating physical activity and a healthy and varied diet, gives us the opportunity to directly influence our health and longevity.
See also → Omega 3: Dosage, Benefits and Contraindications
The benefits of omega 3 on our heart
Epidemiological studies have shown that populations with a high consumption of fish have the lowest mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases. The diet of these populations explains, at least in part, their protection against death from cardiac pathologies. Subsequently, numerous studies have confirmed that omega-3s (EPA and DHA), essentially present in seafood, are capable of reducing the risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease (2),(3).
The health authorities have validated the health claims for omega 3 !
The studies on omega-3 (EPA and DHA) are particularly numerous and their conclusions have allowed the French (ANSES) (4) and European(EFSA) health authorities to validate the role of omega-3 for health. They authorize the following health claim:“Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain heart function” (5) provided that the daily consumption is at least 250 mg of DHA.
Similarly, the American health authority(FDA) approves the health claim for Omega 3 food supplements. It is authorized to say that the consumption of omega 3 (EPA and DHA) would be able to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases (6)
Thus, on the basis of a daily consumption of omega 3 (EPA + DHA) (7), they contribute :
– To the good functioning of the heart / for a consumption of 250 mg,
– To the preservation of a good blood pressure (arterial pressure) / for a consumption of 3 g,
– To the maintenance of a good serum triglyceride level / for a consumption of 2 g
These claims have been approved by the World Health Organization(WHO) and the ISSFAL ” Heart Foundation and the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids which recommend a daily consumption of 250 to 500 mg of EPA and DHA (cumulated).
What are these molecules called Omega 3?
The omega 3 vegan constitute a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids “essential” because not produced by the organization and of the derivatives:
– ALA: alpha linolenic acid an “essential” fatty acid
– EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid, a fatty acid derived from ALA
– DHA docosahexaenoic acid fatty acid derived from ALA
The transformation rates are very low. They explain the very frequent deficiencies in EPA and DHA.
Part of ALA is transformed into EPA which in turn can be transformed into DHA. This transformation, which occurs in the liver, has only a low yield (about 15%) (8), which is why it is important to ensure a good dietary intake of DHA.
DHA constitutes about 97% of the fatty acids in the brain and as much in the retina. It is an essential component for the good health of our visual and cardiac functions.
Scientific evidence and study results
Omega-3s play an essential role in maintaining our health (9)
It has been proven that a sufficient and regular consumption of omega 3s is capable of significantly reducing mortality due to heart problems.
The benefit of omega 3 supplementation is all the more important for people with deficiencies, i.e. those who do not consume marine products or who have high triglyceride or LDL cholesterol levels.
Omega 3 protects our heart by:
– Reducing blood pressure and heart rate
– Lowering cholesterol / triglyceride, LDL levels
– Improving vascular function (10) (11)
A large number of randomized clinical studies have concluded that a sufficient level of omega 3 in the blood is beneficial in the fight against cardiac pathologies (12 to 23).
Clinical studies have shown that the consumption of EPA and DHA would reduce cardiovascular diseases, to fight against the risks of infarction and coronary diseases (24 – 25) but also inflammation. They contribute to reinforce the treatment of many diseases such as atherosclerosis, by fighting against cholesterol. They have shown an ability to control the level of sugar in the blood, for protection against diabetes. In clinical trials on diabetes, they have been shown to repair neurological damage.
A synthesis of randomized studies published in 2019 in the Mayo Clinic journal (26) focuses on the results of these studies, which concern the evaluation of the effects of omega 3 supplementation on the frequencies of cardiac events related to cardiovascular diseases. The conclusions of these 3 randomized trials are detailed below.
Preventive consumption of purified fish oil containing 840 mg/day of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) significantly reduces the risk of death from coronary heart disease or heart attack, particularly in people who did not consume fish and seafood frequently.
For people with coronary heart disease, consumption of 4 grams/day of highly purified omega-3 containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 25% (P < 0. 001).
The American Heart Association (AHA) continues to emphasize the importance of marine omega-3 as a nutrient to potentially reduce the risk of congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and heart attack. Consumption recommendations are 1g per day for those who do not consume marine products (fish, seafood, seaweed) at least twice a week (27) (28).
Omega-3s are clearly associated with the protection of our heart. The health benefits are observed from a daily consumption of 250 mg of EPA + DHA.