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N-3 fatty acids from fish and coronary artery disease: implications for public health
E B Schmidt1, H A Skou, J H Christensen
1Department of Medicine, Hjørring/Brønderslev Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark. ebs@dadlnet.dk
Objective:
To review and discuss the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from fish in the prevention and, primarily, in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Design:
Overview of the literature.
Setting:
Denmark.
Results:
There is good evidence that fish consumption may reduce the risk of CAD.
Conclusions:
Fish can be recommended to reduce the risk of CAD both in healthy subjects and in patients with a high risk of CAD or with documented CAD. The use of fish oil concentrates can not be recommended in general, but may be considered in patients after a myocardial infarction or in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia. An increased intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish may have substantial implications for public health and health economy by decreasing the risk of coronary events and sudden cardiac death.