[Fish oil--healing principle in the Eskimo diet?]

The low incidence of coronary heart disease among Eskimos is related to their diet rich in marine fatty acids, which contain large amounts of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, mainly eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. The beneficial effects on atherosclerotic vascular disease result from favorable influence on prostaglandin/thromboxane metabolism. Clinical studies have also reported antiinflammatory effects.