Omega 3 supplements: less risk of thrombosis and other cardiovascular diseases with fish oil

In men, taking a single dose ofOmega three eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces the activity of microparticles released by platelets by about 20 percent in 24 hours. This corresponds to a decreased risk of developing thrombosis and other cardiovascular diseases associated with the formation of platelet aggregates within blood vessels. This was demonstrated by a group of researchers led by Manohar Lal Garg of the University of Newcastle, Australia, in a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. The research adds further detail to the knowledge of the differential effect exerted by Omega-3s on men and women.

Omega-3 against platelet aggregation

Platelets are essential blood elements to ensure the repair of damaged vessels and thus prevent severe bleeding. However, their excessive activation may be associated with various heart diseases. It is known that platelet aggregation can lead to the formation of clots, which are a risk factor for stroke, heart attack and other serious heart health problems. At the moment they are activated, platelets release small vesicles (microparticles) that, by binding to the vessel wall, provide the trigger for further platelet aggregation. For this reason, the level of microparticles is considered a good indicator of platelet hyperactivity associated with cardiovascular risk. Several researches have shown thatOmega-3 intake reduces the incidence of thrombotic events. These nutrients restore the correct number of platelet microparticles and levels of clotting activity in patients who have been affected by myocardial infarction. No study had, however, clarified whether Omega-3 exerted the same benefits in healthy individuals and whether the effect of their intake was immediate or required long-term administration.

More EPA for men's well-being

Garg and colleagues clarified these issues by asking 15 men and 15 women with no particular health problems to take a single dose of sunflower oil (not rich in Omega-3) or 1 gram of EPA or DHA docosahexaenoic acid, important food-derived Omega-3. 24 hours after intake, those who introduced EPA or DHA showed a decrease in platelet aggregation of 13.3 and 11.9 percent, respectively. In contrast, microparticle levels decreased only in men who took EPA, but not in those who took DHA. In addition, women given EPA achieved only a reduction in platelet aggregation, without benefiting from any effect on the number of microparticles.

Mechanisms unclear, but efficacy confirmed

The authors of the research cannot give a precise explanation of the mechanisms by which Omega-3 affects platelet aggregation and microparticle levels. This research shows for the first time that a single dose of EPA reduces platelet aggregation and also acts at the level of microparticles, thus confirming the results obtained in other studies. The data collected to date clearly indicate that EPA and DHA reduce the tendency of platelets to aggregate, but they act differentially in men and women.    

Source 

1. Phang M, Lincz L, Seldon M, Garg ML, "Acute supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid reduces platelet microparticle activity in healthy subjects," J Nutr Biochem. 2011 Nov 30. [Epub ahead of print].