Omega-3: are men and women the same?
Omega-3 and thrombosis prevention: DHA for women and EPA for men?
That men and women are not equal is nothing new. And it was not only poets and songwriters who wrote and sang it. Now even science wanted to have its say on the subject with research that studied the different effects of two types of fatty acids, EPA and DHA, on the cardiovascular system of men and women.
Thrombosis and diseases related to malfunction of the cardiovascular system, are among the most prevalent in Western countries. The triggers of these diseases are well-known: smoking, high-fat diet, little physical exercise, and sedentary lifestyle.
While this type of disease affects men and women more or less equally, the study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, shows differences in theeffectiveness of certain types of Omega-3s in preventing thrombosis, depending on the sex of the patient.
The intake of fatty acids has always been recommended to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease: thrombosis, heart attack, stroke. Several studies since the 1970s have already established that Omega-3 intake helps to thin the blood and thus counteract the thickening and formation of thrombi, clots, and maintain blood pressure at normal levels, but there may be differences in effect between male and female patients.
The study, conducted by a team of researchers at the Univesrity of Newcastle in Australia, was conducted on 94 men and women who were given doses of EPA or DHA and placebo substances. While taking non-differentiated Omega-3s for men and women led to a 12 percent decrease in risk factors, with specific intake of EPA for men and DHA for women, the decrease in risk factors rose 18 percent for both sexes.
Today this research takes it a step further and analyzes the different reaction of men and women to the intake of different types of fatty acids. To be precise, EPA would reduce platelet thickening levels in men, while DHA in women.
Too early for conclusions?
Of course, the study was on a limited sample, and the actual conclusions will be later to be verified, but as always we will keep you informed of new developments!
Despite the enthusiasm of the Australian researchers, Dr. Rice, vice president of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA, curbs enthusiasm: "Although the results obtained from this research are realistic, I think it is too early to come to the conclusion that thrombotic disorders may have some benefit with specific intake of EPA for men and DHA for women." In fact, according to Dr. Rice, the sample analyzed is numerically unreliable. We look forward to new feedback and analysis on this topic to keep you constantly updated.
Source: Journal of Nutrition
