Omega-3 fatty acids are lauded for their various health benefits, including reducing inflammation, being heart-friendly, and supporting brain health. However, there are several controversies regarding their efficacy and benefits to human health. In this Honest Nutrition feature, we explain what omega-3 fatty acids are and explore the latest scientific evidence to clarify what they can and cannot do for health.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat — also referred to as “healthy fats” — praised for their potential protective roles in several chronic diseases.
They are one of the key building blocks for cell membranes and remain a subject of interest in the scientific community.
The family of omega-3 fatty acids includes:
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
stearidonic acid (SDA)
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
DHA and EPA are the primary polyunsaturated fats in brain cell membranes and have been popularized and successfully marketed as dietary supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential, meaning the human body is incapable of creating them on its own — the fatty acids or their precursors must be obtained from the diet. For instance, ALA from plant seeds can be converted in the body to all the other types of omega-3 fats: EPA, SDA, DHA, DPA. However, this conversion is quite inefficient, with rates of less than 3% of ALA being converted to DHA or EPA in males and less than 10% in females — warranting adequate dietary intakes of DHA and EPA themselves.
Omega-3 in the diet
DHA, EPA, and DPA omega-3 fatty acids are synthesized by marine organisms such as algae and phytoplankton. When consumed by fish, aquatic mammals, and crustaceans, the fatty acids enter the food chain and are stored in body fat, liver, and blubber. They are then later consumed by humans. Food sources of DHA, EPA, and DPA include fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, menhaden, or herring; the liver of lean, white fish, such as halibut or cod; fish oils from cod flesh, tuna, haddock, flounder, or krill oil
ALA, on the other hand, is concentrated in plant sources and is the most frequent omega-3 fatty acid used by the body to create all other types of omega-3 fatty acids.
Sources of ALA include nuts and seeds, such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts as well as oils, such as echium seed oil, canola, and soybean oils.
Omega-3 fats: What they can do for health
Decades of research on the health impacts of omega-3 fatty acids have provided controversial findings. Here are some evidence-backed benefits of consuming omega-3 fatty acids.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Chronic inflammation — also called low-grade inflammation — is linked to the development of obesity, heart disease, and cancers.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in the human body and may aid in lowering markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.
In fact, omega-3 fatty acids are regarded as one of the most potent lipids capable of reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. It also potentially guards against the development of chronic diseases.
Lower cholesterol
Daily supplementation with at least 1.2 g of DHA significantly reduced triglyceride levels and increased “good” cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids lowered the “bad” cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), when dietary saturated fats were replaced with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids found in plants foods such as nuts and avocados.
However, a recent evidence-based practice summary has shown no impact on a range of cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes from the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in patients with established CVD or raised risk factors for CVD.
Lower blood pressure
On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve vascular health — the health of the blood vessels — by increasing the bioavailability of nitric oxide.
In a phase 2 scientific study, nitric oxide induced dilation (relaxation) of the blood vessels and led to a significant reduction in blood pressure.
May reduce the risk of heart disease
By reducing markers associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease — high triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure — omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of heart disease, according to a review analyzing existing studies.
Improve tolerance to cancer treatment
Omega-3 fatty acids may improve the efficacy and tolerance of chemotherapy and is a potential supportive treatment to people undergoing cancer treatment.
More specifically, daily supplementation with EPA and DHA helped patients with head and neck cancers and breast cancer to maintain body weight and reduce cancer-related muscle loss.
Improves depression
A 2019 review study of over 2,000 participants showed a beneficial impact of EPA omega-3 fatty acids on depression, with DHA showing little benefits.
This finding is supported by other studies indicating that fish oil supplementation helps protect against major depressive disorder in people between the ages of 15 and 25 years.
Furthermore, moderate intakes of fatty fish and seafood were associated with fewer occurrences of depression.
Omega-3 fats: What they cannot do for health
Omega-3 fatty acids have been successfully marketed as heart-friendly and reported to reduce the risk of adverse heart disease-related outcomes. However, its role and health benefits for some conditions have been challenged and discredited. An important review (the Cochrane report) found no evidence of the benefit of omega-3 supplements on heart disease, stroke, or death.
Here are some conditions that omega-3 fatty acids may not prevent or improve, based on the latest scientific evidence.
Reduce risk of death by heart disease
Prevent blood clots
Prevent or treat diabetes
Prevent cancer
The bottom line
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential compounds that are key building blocks for cell membranes, particularly in the brain.
For decades, they have been the subject of scientific interest, but findings have been controversial and inconsistent. The evidence shows that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may lower cholesterol, blood pressure, depressive episodes, weight loss during cancer treatment, and the risk for heart disease. However, omega-3 intake does not reduce the risk of adverse and severe heart disease-related outcomes, including sudden death and stroke. Additionally, it cannot prevent or treat diabetes or prevent blood clots. This is an emerging area of evidence, and further results will continue to inform health recommendations.
Written by Amber Charles, MSPH, RDN on December 10, 2021 — Fact checked by Hilary Guite, FFPH, MRCGP; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/omega-3-what-it-can-and-cant-do-for-health?
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