The Reality Behind Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to your health.

By reducing inflammation, improving cholesterol levels, and benefiting eye and brain health, omega-3 fats could be one of the most under-rated nutrients for improving health.

Research has also shown that omega-3 fatty acids, when it comes to high cholesterol and people at high risk for cardiovascular disease, could provide some anti-inflammatory benefits and cholesterol-lowering effects.

They also have shown that some of the cardio-protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids could be due to the altering of certain gene expression related to oxidative processes.

However, in most of the research, they are uncertain if supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acids could result in altered gene expression in people with normal and high cholesterol.

A new study published in Nutrition Metabolism (London), could show a potential relationship between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and its anti-oxidative effects on gene and gene expression.

Give me a minute to explain…

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Antioxidant Effects

High cholesterol has been shown to be a risk factor for heart disease.

Having abnormal cholesterol levels could lead to the development of atherosclerosis.

Therefore, reducing your cholesterol could also reduce your risk for developing heart disease.

The use of omega-3 fatty acids has been shown in many clinical studies to improve cholesterol levels, therefore potentially improving overall heart health.

However, researchers do not fully understand if omega-3 fatty acids contribute to changes in gene expression as it relates to antioxidants, which they theorize could partly explain why omega-3 fats are cardio-protective in nature.

The authors of this study aimed to see the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and changes in gene expression that may affect oxidative processes.

They recruited 10 normo- and 10 dyslipidemic men and supplemented them for 12 weeks with 1.14 grams of DHA and 1.56 grams of EPA.

They assessed gene expression by using whole genome microarray analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction tests.

The researchers discovered, according to this study, that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increased the expression of anti-inflammatory enzymes, and decreased the expression of pro-oxidative and tissue enzymes in both normo- and dyslipidemic men.

Also they noted an increase in the up-regulation of catalase and heme oxygenase 2 in both groups, but an up-regulation of cytochrome
P450 only in the dyslipidemic group.

From their work, they concluded that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in both normal and dyslipidemic subjects changed the expression of genes related to oxidative processes, which they claim, could suggest the antioxidant and potential cardio-protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids.

Although this research is new and shows promise for understanding how omega-3 fatty acids work to lower cholesterol, more research needs to be completed to have a better understanding of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on gene expression.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Oxidative Health

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in research to provide antioxidant potential.

Also, they have been shown to improve cholesterol levels, which could improve heart health.

According to the results of this study, the researchers potentially showed the way in which omega-3 fatty acids act to alter gene
expression related to oxidative processes.

Including omega-3 fatty acids, through supplementation or increasing fish intake, could improve specific gene expression related to altered cholesterol levels, therefore potentially improving heart health.


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