Omega-3 Fatty Acids and the Cardiometabolic Syndrome

Benefits of fish consumption in patients with the cardiometabolic syndrome relate to the high biologic value of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as certain minerals and vitamins in fish. Recently, the American Heart Association issued new guidelines for the intake of omega-3 oils for the prevention of coronary heart disease. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the potential health benefits of fish consumption and/or fish oil supplements in reducing cardiometabolic syndrome risk factors. The consumption of fish or fish oil containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, decreases triglyceride, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers, improves endothelial function, prevents certain cardiac arrhythmias, reduces platelet aggregation (including reactivity and adhesion), reduces vasoconstriction, enhances fibrinolysis, reduces fibrin formation, and decreases the risk of microalbuminuria and sudden cardiac death. Thus, fish intake or fish oil supplement use is beneficial to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors.