McKinney Chiropractor Best Practices
Research Commentary;
What Your Need to Know About Omega-3 and Heart Disease
A review of
Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Rozenn N. Lemaitre, PhD, MPH, Irena B. King, PhD, Xiaoling Song, PhD, Hongyan Huang, PhD, Frank M. Sacks, MD, Eric B. Rimm, ScD, Molin Wang, PhD, David S. Siscovick, MD, MPH. “Plasma Phospholipid Long-Chain ω-3 Fatty Acids and Total and Cause-Specific Mortality in Older Adults.” Ann Intern Med 2013 Apr 2: 158(7): 515-525
By Dr. Bryan Stephens
Summarized Review Conclusions
The number one takeaway is that having omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) circulating in your blood is associated with a lower mortality rate especially with coronary heart disease. The authors went a step further and evaluated the importance of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), docosapentanoic acid (DPA), and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) upon cardiovascular health. They followed the participants through the years and noted lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) with a 27% lower risk when all 3 PUFA were present. Low levels of DHA were most strongly related to coronary heart disease deaths while low levels of DPA were more related to stroke death. In addition to lower mortality rates due to CHD, the authors noted that participants lived an average of 2.2 years longer past the age of 65.
“The observed mortality differences corresponded to ~2.2 greater years of remaining life after 65 in people with higher versus lower [omega-3] PUFA levels”
Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Rozenn N. Lemaitre, PhD, MPH, Irena B. King, PhD, Xiaoling Song, PhD, Hongyan Huang, PhD, Frank M. Sacks, MD, Eric B. Rimm, ScD, Molin Wang, PhD, David S. Siscovick, MD, MPH. “Plasma Phospholipid Long-Chain ω-3 Fatty Acids and Total and Cause-Specific Mortality in Older Adults.” Ann Intern Med 2013 Apr 2: 158(7): 515-525
“Because these biomarkers were measured in older adults, our findings suggest that dietary omega 3 PUFA late in life may be of benefit in reducing total morbidity. Alternatively, these associations could reflect an influence of life-long dietary habits.”
Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Rozenn N. Lemaitre, PhD, MPH, Irena B. King, PhD, Xiaoling Song, PhD, Hongyan Huang, PhD, Frank M. Sacks, MD, Eric B. Rimm, ScD, Molin Wang, PhD, David S. Siscovick, MD, MPH. “Plasma Phospholipid Long-Chain ω-3 Fatty Acids and Total and Cause-Specific Mortality in Older Adults.” Ann Intern Med 2013 Apr 2: 158(7): 515-525
“The present findings support an average target range of 250-400 mg/d.”
Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Rozenn N. Lemaitre, PhD, MPH, Irena B. King, PhD, Xiaoling Song, PhD, Hongyan Huang, PhD, Frank M. Sacks, MD, Eric B. Rimm, ScD, Molin Wang, PhD, David S. Siscovick, MD, MPH. “Plasma Phospholipid Long-Chain ω-3 Fatty Acids and Total and Cause-Specific Mortality in Older Adults.” Ann Intern Med 2013 Apr 2: 158(7): 515-525
Introduction to the Research
Past research focused on the effects of PUFA in high-risk individuals for cardiovascular disease. This article looks closer on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through addition of PUFA among generally healthy older adults. Observational studies have previously shown that when omega 3 consumption is high, death from coronary heart disease was low, but randomized trials of supplementation had mixed results. In order to evaluate the long term effects of adding PUFA to the diet, the study was performed over 20 years.
Research Methodology
In 1989, 5,209 adults age 65+ were randomly selected from Medicare eligibility in 4 communities (Forsyth County, North Carolina; Sacramento County, California; Washington County, Maryland; Allegheny County, Pennsylvania). Another 687 participants were recruited in 1992. Of the group, 57% agreed to the study. Annual evaluations were performed including physical examination, diagnostic testing, blood sampling, and questionnaires.
Research Findings
Among Cause-specific deaths, all three omega 3 PUFA were associated with lower CVD mortality with a 27% lower risk across the board. Among the subtypes, DHA appeared most strongly related to CHD death while DPA was more related to stroke death. The difference in mortality also equated to ~2.2 greater years of remaining life after 65 in people with higher versus lower omega 3 PUFA levels.
Research References
As always with these reviews, these are my takeaways from the article, and I encourage you to read the article in its entirety. The references used in this article by the authors of this article are listed here.
Our Message
At our McKinney location, located near the corner of Eldorado Pkwy. and Ridge Rd., we are here to help you get out of pain! Our Chiropractors will relieve your pain through Chiropractic adjustments and teaching the proper form for exercises. We also look at nutrition to make sure you are getting the proper nutrients while helping you manage stress to give your body the best fighting chance against pain and disease!