Indications
1. Coronary Heart Disease Prevention (1 gram/day)
2. Other indications under study (2-4 grams/day)
Physiology
1. Essential fatty acids
2. Properties
  1. Anti-inflammatory
  2. Antithrombotic
  3. Antiarrhythmic
  4. Vasodilatory
3. Benefits
  1. Significant effects at 1 gram/day of omega-3
    1. Reduces risk of sudden death
    2. Reduces all-cause mortality
  2. Other effects at 2-4 grams/day of omega-3
    1. Precaution: These doses require further study
    2. Lowers serum Triglycerides
      1. High doses of omega-3 may raise LDL Cholesterol
    3. Reduces symptoms in Rheumatoid Arthritis
    4. Lowers Blood Pressure in Hypertension
Types: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
1. Acids from fish and fish oils
  1. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
  2. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
2. Acids from seed, green leafy vegetables, nuts and beans
  1. Alpha linolenic Acid (ALA)
Sources: Plant (mostly Alpha linolenic Acid, about a third the potency of EPA/DHA)
1. Nuts
  1. Almonds
  2. Dried butternut
  3. English walnuts
2. Miscellaneous
  1. Flaxseed
  2. Raw Soybeans
  3. Pinto beans
  4. Wheat germ
  5. Purslane
  6. Leeks
3. Oils
  1. Canola oil
  2. Fish oil
  3. Flaxseed oil
  4. Walnut oil
  5. Soybean oil
    1. Also contains Omega-6 Fatty Acids (prothrombotic)
Sources: Fish (EPA or DHA per 3 ounces of fish)
1. General
  1. Omega 3 fatty acid content varies considerably
    1. Depends on species, season, diet, and processing
2. Fish with high omega 3 levels (>1 grams/3 ounces)
  1. Albacore tuna
    1. Fresh: Up to 1.3 grams
    2. Canned white in water: Up to 0.75 grams
  2. Herring, sardines or anchovy: Up to 1.7 grams
  3. Halibut: Up to 1 gram
  4. Mackerel: Up to 1.5 grams
  5. Salmon
    1. Atlantic, Chinook: Up to 1.5 grams
    2. Sockeye: Up to 0.7 grams
3. Fish and seafood with lower omega 3 levels (<0.4 grams)
  1. Catfish
  2. Alaskan king crab
  3. Flounder or sole
  4. Haddock
  5. Shrimp
Sources: Supplement
1. See Fish Oil Supplement
Precautions
1. See Mercury Content in Fish
Efficacy
1. Study of 11,000 postinfarction patients
  1. Patients on 850 mg of Omega-3 Fatty Acids per day
  2. Sudden Cardiac Death reduced 45%
  3. Total mortality rate reduced 20%
2. References
  1. Burr (1989) Lancet 2:757
References

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