Effects of ω-3 fatty acids and ratio of ω-3/ω-6 for health promotion and disease prevention

Abstract

Awareness of the role of essential fatty acids in human health and disease prevention has been increasing among the population over the past decades. It is known that the positive correlation of essential fatty acid content with a decrease in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, infant development, brain and vision functioning, arthritis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders. Rich sources of essential fatty acids are fish, fish oil, and some vegetable oils. In this paper, the average content of linoleic and α-linolenic acids in oils (g/100 g of fat) and their ratio is presented. In Kazakhstan, among vegetable oils, sunflower oil is the most commonly consumed, in which the ratio ω-6 to ω-3 on average is about 220:1, which exceeds all recommended norms. Based on the examination of literary data on this topic, the desk-based research approach was used in this paper. According to the results, statistical data on the number of diseases of the cardiovascular system and diabetes mellitus are confirmed by studies on the positive relationship between PUWC and the development of these diseases, which indicates the need to conduct more studies on the ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 in the diets. The objective of this research is to encourage scientists to increase their basic grasp of biochemistry in order to improve health and prevent fatty acid illness.

Total mercury and fatty acids content in selected fish marketed in Quito – Ecuador. A benefit-risk assessment

“…Due to the high consumption of ω-6 fatty acids, the ratio of ω-3/ω-6 may have decreased [17] . The Food and Agriculture Organization recommends the consumption of EFAs in a ratio of 1:5 or 1:10 [67] , [72] . Therefore, a modest consumption of 250–500 mg·d −1 of EPA and DHA has been suggested to lower CHD risk by 25% or more [71] , [96] .…”

Marine Animal Co-Products—How Improving Their Use as Rich Sources of Health-Promoting Lipids Can Foster Sustainability

“…Another way to look at the benefits that lipids from marine animal co-products may entail has to do with the low n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios consistently reported. A low n-6/n-3 ratio has been reported to promote beneficial effects on inflammatory conditions, cancer, and cardiovascular and neurological disorders [195,196]. A ratio of 4-5 to 1 or lower is recommended, although it is reported to normally be much higher in Western diets [197,198].…”

Nutritional quality of chicken nuggets and Tuscan-type sausage submitted to frying in different lipid sources

“…The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) Ꞷ3 and Ꞷ6 are recognized for their beneficial effects, such as lowering LDL and lipid levels, regulating blood pressure and stimulating the immune response as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombus, and vasodilating properties (Moreira et al, 2020;Simopoulos, 2020;Mukhametov et al, 2022). In addition, high serum levels of Ꞷ3 are associated with a lower risk of premature death (Harris et al, 2021), and linolenic acids particularly effective in fighting cardiovascular diseases, improving glucose homeostasis and reducing hepatic steatosis (Moreira et al, 2020).…”