Omega-3 vetzuren goed voor hart en tegen dementie*
Uit een Chinese studie met 720 deelnemers blijkt dat extra inname van omega-3
vetzuren, uit vette vis, noten of supplementen zorgt voor duidelijk lagere bloedwaarden homocysteïne. Hoge bloedwaarden homocysteïne zijn in verband gebracht met een duidelijk hogere kans op hart- en vaatziektes en
dementie.
Omega-3 fatty acids lower heart disease and dementia risk markers
Researchers publishing in the journal Nutrition show that Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and natural foods including nuts and seeds can lower levels of dangerous homocysteine, an amino acid linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. Reviewing data from eleven trials including more than 720 study participants, scientists found that introducing Omega-3 fats from dietary or supplemental sources was associated with significantly lowered levels of plasma homocysteine. Homocysteine is a known atherogenic marker contributing to increased risk of heart disease and heart attack and most recently is implicated in the development of Alzheimer`s dementia. Based on conclusive evidence provided by this meta-study and by volumes of research over the past decade, most health conscious people should include Omega-3 fats in their diet or supplemental regime to lower chronic disease risk factors.
Higher levels of homocysteine have been implicated with increased risk from heart disease since the observation that children with elevated levels of the amino acid were at dramatically increased risk from heart disease at an earlier age. B vitamins effectively lower homocysteine saturation levels in the blood by providing methyl groups that cause the compound to be converted to an inert substance that is passed from the body.
The result of this meta-analysis provides evidence that Omega-3 fats effectively lower homocysteine levels by deactivating an enzyme that is necessary in the formation of the dangerous amino acid. Omega-3 fats also improve vascular function by improving LDL and HDL cholesterol lipid ratios. The DHA form of the long-chain fat is also shown to lower the risk of thrombosis (blood clots) while reducing blood pressure and heart rate in subjects at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Nutrition. 2011 Sep;27(9):863-7. Epub 2011
High consumption of Ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease plasma homocysteine: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Huang T, Zheng J, Chen Y, Yang B, Wahlqvist ML, Li D.
Source
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
High consumption of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been associated with lower plasma homocystine (Hcy) levels, but intervention studies in humans have been inconclusive. The objective was to systematically evaluate the effects of ω-3 PUFA supplementation on plasma Hcy levels.
METHODS:
A comprehensive search of Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry, and bibliographies of relevant articles published from 1966 through September 2010 was undertaken. All randomized, placebo-controlled trials that compared ω-3 PUFA supplementation with placebo were included. Two investigators performed data extraction and quality scoring independently, with discrepancies resolved by consensus.
RESULTS:
Eleven trials including 702 subjects were analyzed. The outcomes studied were plasma Hcy level. Eleven randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Supplementation with ω-3 PUFAs was associated with a significant decrease in plasma Hcy level (weighted mean difference -1.59 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval -2.34 to -0.83) compared with control subjects.
CONCLUSION:
This meta-analysis suggested that ω-3 PUFA supplementation can decrease plasma Hcy levels. The implications of these findings remain to be
elucidated.
(September 2011)
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