13 July 2011
According to a new meta-analysis from Australia, long-chain n-3 fatty acids significantly reduce arterial stiffness. That may account for some of its evident cardioprotective effects. The findings provide compelling evidence for supplementation with long-chain n-3 PUFA to increase arterial flexibility.
The first systematic review and meta-analysis conducted on this subject included ten randomized controlled trails with omega-3 fatty acids – eicosapentanioc acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) – investigating the benefits of n-3 fatty acids on arterial stiffness (1). A recent meta-analysis of 17 longitudinal studies confirmed aortic stiffness as a significant predictor of future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Arterial stiffness is also related to brain and kidney end-organ damage. Reducing arterial stiffness may reduce related risks, particularly of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The authors of the study aimed to assess the scientific evidence for n-3 PUFA in the treatment of arterial stiffness. They reviewed four trials that were exploring the chronic effects of long-chain n-3 PUFA on pulse wave velocity (PWV). Another six trials were reviewed as respective outcome measures; these used arterial compliance, measured as capacitive compliance or systemic arterial compliance.
The authors concluded that the meta-analysis provides compelling evidence that supplementation with mega-3 fatty acids offers a scientifically supported means of reducing arterial stiffness. They found that the n-3 PUFA were effective in independently improving both PWV and arterial compliance with small-to-moderate clinical effects. And they resume: “As increased arterial stiffness is a risk factor for CVD, n-3 supplementation may provide a means of reducing the risk of CVD and end-organ damage.”
5 June 2013
According to a new US review, regular intakes of fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids increase amounts of a hormone that is associated with lower risk of diabetes and heart disease.
23 March 2012
A new experiment using rodents and a study in postmenopausal women hypothesize that vitamin E supplements may be related to bone loss. Experts criticize that neither feeding rodents with extremely high doses of vitamin E nor measuring bone formation indirectly via a fault-prone marker in women would justify translating the findings into recommendations for supplement users.
10 March 2014
A long-term daily use of multivitamin as well as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements may significantly lower the risk of developing cataract in men.
