Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency and cardiovascular disease

Observational studies and early clinical trials indicated that long-chain n-3 fatty acids have a role in prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD), specifically fatal CHD. Results of recent trials have been mixed, although the study designs, patient populations, and n-3 doses have been quite different. Some studies have called into question whether there is any benefit from n-3 fatty acid therapy in patients who are receiving guideline-based treatment since their coronary event. Other recent trials suggest that certain patient subgroups, specifically those with diabetes or CHF, may derive a significant benefit. The only clinical trial to show a reduction in non-fatal coronary events used a higher n-3 fatty acid dose than used in the other studies, which raises the question of whether more is better for certain clinical outcomes. That trial however, was an open-label study, and used much lower doses of statin than used in the other trials. Therefore, no firm conclusions can be drawn about the role of n-3 fatty acids until further research can resolve these questions.