Women: 38% lower risk of ischemic disease thanks to fish oil

Omega 3s from marine sources, as opposed to plant-based ones, protect women from the risk of ischemic heart disease. The news comes from the pages of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, where researchers from the Institute of Preventive Medicine at the University of Aarhus (Denmark) published the results of a major study: the intake of high amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) reduces the risk of ischemic heart disease by 38 percent. According to the study authors, men may not benefit from the same protective effect.

Men and women, Omega-3s also make a difference

The 2 main Omega-3s of marine origin, EPA and DHA, can be obtained from a diet rich in fatty fish as well as fromalpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in vegetables. Specifically, between 8 and 20 percent of the ALA found in the human body is converted to EPA, while only 0.5 to 9 percent of alpha-linolenic acid is converted to DHA. This phenomenon is not the only factor influencing EPA and DHA levels. Sex also plays a role, and in women of reproductive age the rate of conversion of ALA to EPA is 2.5 times higher than observed in men.

Omega-3s of marine origin protect women's hearts

The authors of this research confirmed that men and women respond differently to Omega-3 intake. Their study involved analyzing data on 3,277 Danish citizens whose health status was monitored over 23 years. During this period, 471 cases of ischemic heart disease were recorded. The researchers therefore concluded that ALA intake does not reduce the risk of incurring this disorder in either men or women. In women alone, high doses of Omega-3 (varying between 0.45 and 11.2 grams per day) reduce the risk of this heart disorder by 38 percent.

The possible explanation for the differences between males and females

According to the authors of this study, the differences recorded are also due to the fact that the production of EPA and DHA from ALA also depends on the levels of Omega-3 present in the body. Consequently, ALA supplementation could be particularly effective in reducing the risk of ischemic heart disease in those with a low intake of Omega-3 fatty acids. Not only that, a high intake of Omega-3s could attenuate the effect of alpha-linolenic acid because an approach based on eating fish at least once a week is more effective than taking ALA.    

Source

1. Vedtofte MS, Jakobsen MU, Lauritzen L, Heitmann BL, "Dietary α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and n-3 long-chain PUFA and risk of ischemic heart disease," Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Oct;94(4):1097-103. Epub 2011 Aug 24