Heart health: Benefits of omega 3 consumption evidenced by new studies

18 Nov 2019 --- Researchers at the Intermountain Healthcare Heart Institute (IHHI) seek to shed light on uncertainties regarding the efficacy of omega 3 supplementation through two new studies. The non-profit healthcare institute’s research reveals the potential benefits and risks of omega 3 regarding prostate cancer risk and heart health. The studies were presented at this year’s American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia, US held last week.

Innova Market Insights notes that there is a widespread awareness for the positive impact of omega 3 consumption on cognitive and brain health development. Findings from this new research builds on the understanding that omega 3 is also beneficial for heart health.

Does omega 3 influence prostate health risks?
In the first study, the Intermountain research team identified 87 of its registry’s patients who had developed prostate cancer. These patients were tested for plasma levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are two common omega 3 fatty acids. 

When compared to a matched control group of 149 men, the researchers did not find a link between higher omega 3 levels and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

The research team concluded that there was no link between omega 3 consumption increasing the risk of prostate cancer.Viet Le, Researcher and Physician Assistant at the IHHI, says this research was motivated by findings from a controversial paper published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2013, suggesting a possible link between higher omega 3 plasma levels and the development of prostate cancer.

“Our study found no evidence of a link between the two. If I'm recommending omega 3 for my patients to support their heart health, I want to make sure I'm not putting them at risk for prostate cancer,” Le says. 

Omega 3 and survival rates after heart-related diseases
In the second study, the Intermountain researchers looked at nearly 900 patients undergoing coronary angiography, a test that shows how blood flows through the arteries in the heart. Measuring the patients' plasma levels of omega 3 metabolites, including DHA and EPA, the researchers then followed the patients to see who suffered from a subsequent heart attack, stroke, heart failure or who died.

The IHHI research team found that patients with higher rates of omega 3 metabolites had a lower risk of those follow-up adverse effects, regardless of whether they had severe disease or not on their initial angiogram.

Le affirms this second study's importance is attributed to omega 3’s ability to help patients who have already developed heart disease and increase their chances of survival. 

“While a seeming association between higher plasma omega 3 levels and the findings of severe heart disease upon initial angiogram might raise alarms that omega 3 isn't beneficial, they did live to see a doctor and get diagnosed. Indeed, we saw a link between higher levels of omega 3 and their survival rate thereafter,” Le adds. 

Health benefits
The scientific literature surrounding omega 3 is abundant. Research continues to show how omega 3-rich foods and supplements are instrumental in supporting infants’ and children’s health, especially concerning cognitive development and healthy, nutritional diets. Meanwhile, the American Heart Association recommends prescription omega 3 to lower triglyceride levels. 

Omega 3 is known to support not only heart health and cognitive development, but also help with eye health and the immune system.Nevertheless, a report commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that omega 3 is not recommended to treat Type 2 diabetes. To facilitate supplying the correct dosage of omega 3, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition makes it possible to calculate how much omega 3 EPA and DHA is needed in studies for test subjects to reach a healthy Omega 3 Index.

Industry innovation
Omega 3 has moved into the mainstream track of supplements. So much so that in the next two years, marine oil manufacturing company Epax will invest US$35 million to increase capacity by more than 50 percent by 2021 and boost innovation in the sector.

The market for algal omega is also becoming increasingly dynamic, providing a plant-based alternative to the fatty acid predominantly found in fish oil. The market for algal oil in human nutrition currently exceeds 4,000 metric tons a year, with the early life nutrition segment accounting for the largest proportion. But according to industry experts, there is now is a significant move toward dietary supplement and food and beverage sectors. 

A DSM-Evonik joint venture inaugurated a US$200m facility for producing sustainable algae-based omega 3. This joint venture won the “F3 Fish Oil Challenge” for selling the most substantial amount of omega 3 EPA and DHA and omega 6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (ARA) from natural marine algae over the one-year challenge.

Edited by Anni Schleicher