scholarly journals Retina and Omega-3

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Querques ◽  
Raimondo Forte ◽  
Eric H. Souied

Over the last decade, several epidemiological studies based on food frequency questionnaires suggest that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could have a protective role in reducing the onset and progression of retinal diseases. The retina has a high concentration of omega-3, particularly DHA, which optimizes fluidity of photoreceptor membranes, retinal integrity, and visual function. Furthermore, many studies demonstrated that DHA has a protective, for example antiapoptotic, role in the retina. From a nutritional point of view, it is known that western populations, particularly aged individuals, have a higher than optimal omega-6/omega-3 ratio and should enrich their diet with more fish consumption or have DHA supplementation. This paper underscores the potential beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids on retinal diseases.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2394
Author(s):  
Jacek Golanski ◽  
Patrycja Szymanska ◽  
Marcin Rozalski

The beneficial effects of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) in cardioprotection are widely known and generally accepted. In this literature review, we have focused on the known and postulated mechanisms of action of omega-3 PUFAs and their metabolites on various components of the haemostatic system, in particular on blood platelets and endothelium. We have also made an attempt to provide a comprehensive review of epidemiological studies with particular regard to clinical trials. Notably, the results of these studies are contradictory, and some of them failed to report the beneficial effects of taking or supplementing omega-3 PUFAs in the diet. A potential explanation, in our opinion, could be the need to use higher doses of omega-3 PUFAs and a proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs. An additional problem which is difficult to solve is the use of a proper neutral placebo for interventional studies. Despite some controversies regarding the beneficial effects of supplementation of omega-3 PUFAs in cardiovascular disease, our review suggests that a promising aspect of future studies and applications is to focus on the anti-thrombotic properties of these compounds. An argument supporting this assumption is the recent use of omega-3 PUFAs as a supporting tool for the treatment of COVID-19 complications.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1a) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel de Lorgeril ◽  
Patricia Salen

AbstractObjectivesTo discuss present knowledge about Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular diseases.DesignReview of existing literature.Setting and ResultsEpidemiological studies as well as randomised dietary trials suggest that Mediterranean diet may be important in relation to the pathogenesis (and prevention) of CHD. For instance, a striking protective effect of an ALA-rich Mediterranean diet was reported in the Lyon Diet Heart Study with a 50 to 70% reduction of the risk of recurrence after 4 years of follow-up in CHD patients. According to our current knowledge, dietary ALA should represent about 0.6 to 1% of total daily energy or about 2 g per day in patients following a Mediterranean diet, whereas the average intake in linoleic acid should not exceed 7 g per day. Supplementation with very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (about 1 g per day) in patients following a Mediterranean type of diet was shown to decrease the risk of cardiac death by 30% and of sudden cardiac death by 45% in the GISSI trial.ConclusionsIn the context of a diet rich in oleic acid, poor in saturated fats and low in omega-6 fatty acids (a dietary pattern characterising the traditional Mediterranean diet), even small doses of omega-3 fatty acids (about 1 g EPA + DHA the form of fish oil capsules or 2 g α-linolenic acid in canola oil and margarine) might be very protective. These data underline the importance of the accompanying diet in any dietary strategy using fatty acid complements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Samina Akbar ◽  
Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti ◽  
Rida Fatima Saeed ◽  
Asma Saleem Qazi

Over the last decades, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been largely explored not only for their nutritional value but also for the numerous biological functions and therapeutic effects. The serum and erythrocyte levels of PUFAs depend on the genetic control of metabolism as well as the dietary intake and are considered to reflect the health and disease status of an individual. Two families of PUFAs, omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6), have gained much attention because of their involvement in the production of bioactive lipid mediators and therefore, a balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio is crucial in maintaining the overall health of an individual. Omega-3 PUFAs, notably eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) have been shown to exert beneficial effects, possibly due to their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and cardioprotective effects, whereas omega-6 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) exhibit the opposite properties. Even though, numerous epidemiological studies and clinical interventions have clearly established the effectiveness of omega-3 PUFAs in various pathological conditions including dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, some controversies do exist about the beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFAs and need to be clarified. Larger clinical trials with extended follow-up periods are required along with a careful dose selection, in order to confirm the clinical significance and efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs as therapeutic agents.


2007 ◽  
pp. 37-50
Author(s):  
K Mahomed ◽  
MA Williams ◽  
IB King ◽  
S Mudzamiri ◽  
GB Woelk

We sought to examine the association between maternal erythrocyte omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acids and risk of preeclampsia. We conducted a case-control study of 170 women with proteinuric, pregnancy-induced hypertension and 185 normotensive pregnant women who delivered at Harare Maternity Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe. We measured erythrocyte omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acid as the percentage of total fatty acids using gas chromatography. After multivariate adjustment for confounding factors, women in the highest quartile group for total omega-3 fatty acids compared with women in the lowest quartile experienced a 14% reduction in risk of preeclampsia (odds ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 1.63). For total omega-6 fatty acids the odds ratio was 0.46 (95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.92), although there was suggestion of a slight increase in risk of preeclampsia associated with high levels of arachidonic acid. Among women in the highest quartile for arachidonic acid the odds ratio was 1.29 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 2.54). A strong statistically significant positive association of diunsaturated fatty acids with a trans double bond with risk of preeclampsia was observed. Women in the upper quartile of 9-cis 12-trans octadecanoic acid (C(18:2n6ct)) compared with those in the lowest quartile experienced a 3-fold higher risk of preeclampsia (odds ratio = 3.02, 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 6.45). Among women in the highest quartile for 9-trans 12-cis octadecanoic acid (C(18:2n6tc)) the odds ratio was 3.32 (95% confidence interval 1.55 to 7.13). Monounsaturated trans fatty acids were also positively associated with the risk of preeclampsia, although of much reduced magnitude. We observed a strong positive association of trans fatty acids, particularly diunsaturated trans fatty acids, with the risk of preeclampsia. We found little support for the hypothesized inverse association between omega-3 fatty acids and preeclampsia risk in this population. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, were comparatively lower in Zimbabwean than among US pregnant women. Given the limited inter-person variation in omega-3 fatty acids among Zimbabwean women, our sample size may be too small to adequately assess the relation in this population.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 2004-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor A. Mori

Clinical and epidemiological studies provide support that the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish and fish oils are cardioprotective, particularly in the setting of secondary prevention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 134-135
Author(s):  
Artemis P Simopoulos

Abstract Human beings evolved on a diet that was balanced in the omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids to which their genes were programmed to respond. Studies on gene-nutrient interactions using methods from molecular biology and genetics have clearly shown that there are genetic differences in the population, as well as differences in the frequency of genetic variations that interact with diet and influence the growth and development of humans and animals, as well as overall health and chronic disease. Nutrigenetics refers to studies on the role of genetic variants and their response to diet. For example, persons with genetic variants in the metabolism of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have different levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) based on the type of genetic variant in the Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) and Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (FADS2). At the same level of linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) a person with a genetic variant that increases the activity of the FADS1 will have a higher AA in the red cell membrane phospholipids and a higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Nutrigenomics refers to how nutrients (diets) influence the expression of genes. For example, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA decrease the expression of inflammatory genes and as a result decrease the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Thus, through studies on Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics nutritional science stands at its “golden threshold” where personalized nutrition is the future, to improve an individual’s health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 339-340
Author(s):  
Sergiane A Araújo ◽  
Ronaldo L Oliveira ◽  
Analívia M Barbosa ◽  
Aline R Silva ◽  
Rebeca D X Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Lauric acid (LA) is an additive used in ruminant’s diet with the purpose of mitigating the methane effect. However, the presence of a certain amount of LA in the rumen can cause a reduction in the microbial population and ruminal metabolic processes, such as the biohydrogenation. This study aimed evaluate the effect of the LA inclusion in the diet of Nellore on the fatty acids profile of the meat. Thirty-two young Nellore bulls were used with an average age of 24-months. The animals were individually fed with a total mixed ration with 40% of roughage (Cynodon sp. hay) and 60% of concentrated mix, composed with ground corn, soybean meal, urea, mineral premix and LA in 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5% of inclusion in the total diet dry matter basis. Those amounts constituted the treatments. At the end of the trial, the animals were slaughtered and the meat was stored at -21oC, before analyses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and eight replications. The data were submitted to regression analysis, and significance was declared when P < 0.05. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the inclusion of LA in the sum of saturated fatty acids (∑SAF=43.45±1.55), monounsaturated fatty acids (∑MUFA=41.9±0.29), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (∑PUFA=12.25±1.40). The inclusion of LA in the diets also did not affect the sum of omega-3 fatty acids (∑ n-3=1.05±0.22), omega-6 fatty acids (∑ n-6=3.02±0.49, and the reason n-6: n-3 (2.91±0.12). The atherogenicity (0.65±0.05) and trombogenicity (1.47±0.10) indexes, important indexes to predict heart coronary diseases risk, were not affected by the inclusion of LA in the diet of the animals. The results suggest that LA can be included up to 1.5% (DM basis of total diet) in the diets of Nellore without causing any significant changes in the fatty acids profile of the meat.


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