Omega 3s – What Are They And Why Should Pharmacists Be Aware Of Them?

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that are important for overall health. Found predominately in fish and some plant sources, they are essential as our body cannot make these fats on their own.

There are two most important omega-3 fatty acids are EPA- eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA – docosahexaenoic acid. These are found mainly in fish and other seafood. A third omega-3, ALA – alpha-linolenic acid, is found in a range of plants foods, most predominantly in flax seeds, soy oil and walnuts. ALA must be converted in the body to EPA and DHA, but this is a very slow process.

Omega-3s can help lower your patient’s risk of heart disease in several ways. Higher omega-3 intakes in particular can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death by up to 90%1. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids affect heart disease risk in part by reducing inflammation throughout the body2. It is this inflammation that can damage blood vessels and lead to heart disease and stroke.

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly in high doses (3-4000 mg/day) also decrease triglycerides and lower blood pressure slightly. Omega-3s also reduce the tendency of blood to clot when it shouldn’t, and can help prevent the development of an irregular heartbeat3.

However, 84% of the world’s population is deficient in omega-3s4, and according to a recent survey, more than half (52%) of Australians are not meeting the recommended 2-3 serves of fish5.

Just as with knowing their cholesterol level, a patient can feel more empowered about their own health knowing their omega-3 levels. However, the only way to accurately advise a patient about their omega-3 levels is to test them.

The Omega-3 Index Test is a self-administered finger-prick blood test, which measures omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in the red blood cells. The target Omega-3 Index is 8% to 12%, a range which is associated with the lowest risk for developing cardiovascular disease. An Omega-3 Index of 4% or less is linked with a relatively high risk. In Australia the average omega-3 level is low and falls between 4-6%6.
Knowing a patient’s Omega-3 Index Test scores can allow pharmacists to better understand their patient’s risks and requirements. There have been a myriad of different tests used, primarily in research, to express omega-3 status, but now the Omega-3 Index is emerging as perhaps the best option for widespread use.

The Omega-3 Index Test is a self-administered finger prick test kit available from pharmacists, which measures omega-3 EPA and DHA levels in red blood cells.

Low levels of omega-3s can be a risk factor for sudden cardiac events7. According to research, the incidence of sudden cardiac death may be reduced by up to 90% in individuals with a high Omega-3 Index, and there is growing evidence for an association between the Omega-3 Index and other conditions such as ageing, dry eye, macular degeneration, dementia, depression and joint health8.

By knowing a patient’s Omega-3 Index levels, you will better be able to manage and advise them on the best ways to increase levels through diet and supplementation if necessary. Research shows that the more omega-3 in the blood stream, the better the body functions and is able to reduce the risk of developing diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases (CVD)9,10.

Measuring omega-3 levels regularly using the Omega-3 Index Test will help pharmacists and their patients to identify, correct and maintain healthy levels of these important nutrients and reduce their risk of chronic disease.

For more information on omega-3s and how your pharmacy can access Omgea-3 Index Test Kits, visit www.omega3.net.au

ABOUT DR BILL HARRIS

Dr. Harris is an internationally recognised expert on omega-3 fatty acids and how they can benefit patients with heart disease. He obtained his PhD in Human Nutrition from the University of Minnesota, and completed post-doctoral fellowships in Clinical Nutrition and Lipid Metabolism with Dr Bill Connor at the Oregon Health Sciences University.

His interest in omega-3 fatty acids began with his postdoctoral work when he published his first study on the effects of salmon oil on serum lipids in humans (1980). Since that time, he has been the recipient of five NIH grants for studies on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) on human health. He has over 190 publications relating to omega-3 fatty acids in medical literature and was an author on two American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statements on fatty acids: ‘Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease’ (2002), and ‘Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease’ (2009) both published in the AHA’s flagship journal Circulation.

References
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257645/
2. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Fish101_UCM_305986_Article.jsp#.V238SaLcBRo. Accessed June 24, 2016
3. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3054
4. Stark, K.D., Van Elswyk, M.E., Higgins, M.R., et al. Global survey of the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the blood stream of healthy adults (2016)
5. Pure Profile Heart Health survey data, completed from August 15-16, 2016, N-1005
6. Global Survey of the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the blood stream of healthy adults, Stark K, Van Elswyk M, Higgins M, Weatherford C, Salem Jr N, Progress in Lipid Research, May 2018, P11
7. Harris WS., et al. 2004. PrevMed, 39:212-220
8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257645/
9. Superba Krill, A New Beginning for the Omega -3 market, 2016, P3
10. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: The Way Forward in Times of Mixed Evidence, Karsten H. Wylandt, Simona Serini, Yong Q. Chen, Hui-Min Su, Kyu Lim, Achille Cittadini, Gabriella Calviello, Biomed Research International, Volume 2015, P1