Importance of N-3 Fatty Acids in Health and Disease

The Scientific Paper:

W. E. Connor. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 71 (suppl). pp. 117S-5S. 2000.

Review This Scientific Paper’s Abstract:
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/71/1/171S

The Purpose of this Study:
To review the scientific literature detailing the importance of certain beneficial fatty acids (here, n-3 fatty acids) in health and in disease.

N-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are necessary from conception through pregnancy and infancy - and most likely the rest of one’s life.

Some Background, Methods, Results, Caveats, and Other Select Points:

• This peer-reviewed, scientific paper was published in 2000.
• Much additional research is needed to fully understand the roles of n-3 fatty acids in health and disease in order to fully benefit from them.
• The author lists in descending order of the strength of the available science a partial list of the diseases that he believes may be prevented or lessened in severity because of sufficient n-3 fatty acids in the people’s diets.
  1. Coronary heart disease and stroke;
  2. Essential fatty acid deficiency in infancy (retinal and brain development);
  3. Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus and nephropathy);
  4. Crohn’s disease;
  5. Cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate;
  6. Mild hypertension; and
  7. Rheumatoid arthritis.

A Bottom Line:
During the past two decades, the scientific views about dietary n-3 fatty acids have advanced from speculation about their functions to solid evidence that n-3 fatty acids in the diet are not only essential nutrients - but also may favorably help-out with many diseases.

Find This Scientific Paper for Your Review:
Importance of N-3 Fatty Acids in Health and Disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 71 (suppl). pp. 117S-5S. 2000.