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Omega-3 fatty acids vs. cardiac disease--the contribution of the omega-3 index

C Von Schacky1

  • 1Preventive Cardiology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik Innenstadt, Ziemssenstrasse 1, Munich, Germany Clemens.vonschacky@med.uni-muenchen.de

Cellular and Molecular Biology (Noisy-Le-Grand, France)
|March 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The Omega-3 Index, measuring eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cells, helps explain why omega-3 studies show smaller event reductions than expected. A low Omega-3 Index is a cardiovascular risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nutritional Epidemiology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Intervention studies with omega-3 fatty acids show smaller cardiovascular event reductions than epidemiologic studies predicted.
  • Epidemiologic studies using dietary intake of fish or omega-3s (EPA, DHA) are less predictive of clinical events than blood levels.
  • The Omega-3 Index, a standardized measure of EPA+DHA in red blood cells, offers a potential solution to reconcile these discrepancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconcile discrepancies between omega-3 intervention and epidemiologic study results.
  • To highlight the utility of the Omega-3 Index as a predictive biomarker for cardiovascular events.
  • To establish the Omega-3 Index as a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing the Omega-3 Index, defined as the percentage of EPA+DHA in red cell lipids.
  • Employing a highly standardized methodology for Omega-3 Index determination.
  • Analyzing data from epidemiologic and intervention studies through the lens of the Omega-3 Index.

Main Results:

  • The Omega-3 Index provides a framework to reconcile differing results from intervention and epidemiologic studies on omega-3 fatty acids.
  • A low Omega-3 Index is associated with increased risk for sudden cardiac death and non-fatal cardiovascular events.
  • A high Omega-3 Index can be targeted therapeutically to mitigate cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions:

  • The Omega-3 Index offers a more accurate assessment of omega-3 status and its impact on cardiovascular health than dietary intake measures.
  • The Omega-3 Index serves as both a risk factor for cardiovascular events and a target for therapeutic intervention.
  • Further research based on the Omega-3 Index will continue to refine its clinical significance and application.

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