How Omega-3s Help Maintain a Healthy Heart
Heart Health: Omega-3 Help Keep It Strong and Healthy
Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 reduce molecules linked to the risk of coronary artery disease. In patients suffering from angina, a syndrome characterized by a brief reduction in blood flow to the heart, Omega-3 supplements decrease the mass and activity of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), an enzyme involved in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.
This was discovered by researchers at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. The study, published in the journal Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, helps clarify the mechanisms through which Omega-3 may limit the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Mechanisms of action still to be explored
The consumption of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in adequate amounts, along with a healthy lifestyle, is recommended for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Current guidelines suggest that healthy individuals should consume 250–500 mg of Omega-3 daily, while those with heart disease should consume 800–1000 mg. Although not all mechanisms behind the observed benefits are fully understood, these fatty acids—mainly found in fish—have multiple biological effects. They are structural components of cell membranes, involved in the production of immune system molecules, and regulate the expression of certain genes. All these actions may be linked to reducing cardiovascular diseases associated with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis consists of plaque buildup (atherosclerotic plaques) on artery walls. These plaques initially form from lipids, including cholesterol, then grow larger and fibrous, and finally calcify, causing hardening and loss of elasticity of the blood vessel and its narrowing.
A study on at-risk patients
The study involved 54 people diagnosed with coronary artery disease and stable symptoms, who had undergone angioplasty—a medical procedure to widen narrowed blood vessels and restore blood flow to the heart. Some patients received a daily supplement of 1 gram of Omega-3 for one month, while others received a placebo. The analysis of molecules typical of coronary artery disease was performed on all subjects after 3, 5, and 30 days of treatment. Results showed that Omega-3 supplementation reduced Lp-PLA2 mass by 10.7% and its activity by 9.3%. Additionally, oxidized LDL cholesterol, also involved in plaque formation, decreased. No changes were observed in the placebo group. Levels of inflammatory molecules did not vary in any patients.
Omega-3 supplementation may reduce Lp-PLA2 in patients with stable angina
The results highlighted that in patients with coronary artery disease, Omega-3 supplements at appropriate doses effectively reduce levels of molecules associated with plaque development in arteries. The reduction is mainly in the inflammatory enzyme Lp-PLA2, produced by macrophages—immune cells that can accumulate in blood vessels and contribute to plaque formation. Decreasing the inflammatory response of macrophages could thus contribute to the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Source: Grzegorz Gajos, Jaroslaw Zalewski, Magdalena Mostowik, Ewa Konduracka, Jadwiga Nessler, Anetta Undas, Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids reduce lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in patients with stable angina, Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, Volume 24, Issue 4, April 2014, Pages 434-439, ISSN 0939-4753.
