[PHNUTR-L] High Blood Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Protect Against Acute Coronary Syndrome

[Kathrynne Holden]

Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own
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	High Blood Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Protect Against Acute 
Coronary Syndrome
Keywords: 	ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME, HEART DISEASE - Omega-3 Fatty Acids, 
DHA, EPA, Trans Fats
Reference: 	"Blood omega-3 and trans fatty acids in middle-aged acute 
coronary syndrome patients," Harris WS, Reid KJ, et al, American Journal 
of Cardiology, 2007; 99(2): 154-158. (Address: Sanford Research and 
School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South 
Dakota, USA. E-mail: bill.harris at usd.edu ).
Summary: 	In a study involving 94 subjects with acute coronary syndrome 
(ACS) and 94 controls, significantly lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty 
acids (EPA and DHA) were found among subjects with ACS, as compared to 
controls. 54% of subjects were male and 80% were Caucasian. Subjects 
with ACS were found to have 29% lower whole blood long-chain omega-3 
fatty acid content (EPA+DHA), as compared to controls (1.7 vs. 2.4). 
Multivariable models adjusted for variables such as smoking status, 
alcohol use, diabetes, BMI, serum lipids, and history of myocardial 
infarction, found the odds for case status to be 0.67 for 1 standard 
deviation increase in blood EPA plus DHA. Levels of trans fatty acids in 
the blood did not significantly differ between the groups. The results 
of this study suggest that low blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, 
EPA and DHA, may increase the risk of ACS. The authors conclude, "Blood 
EPA + DHA may serve as a new, modifiable risk factor for ACS."
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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