No link between omega-3s & metabolic syndrome: Study

Increased dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids are not linked to a reduction in the risk of metabolic syndrome in the US population, suggests a new study.

While the heart health benefits of the fatty acids are well reported, the potential impact of increased omega-3 intakes in relation to metabolic syndrome has not been well established, according to researchers led by Luc Djoussé from Harvard Medical School.

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by central obesity, hypertension, and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism. The syndrome has been linked to increased risks of both type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that some 75 million Americans suffer from metabolic syndrome.

Using data from 4,941 participants of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Family Heart Study indicated that dietary intakes of omega-3s were not associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Writing in Clinical Nutrition, the Boston-based researchers reported that neither fish consumption nor ALA intake were linked to the incidence of metabolic syndrome.

“Our findings do not support an association between dietary omega-3 FA and MetS in this multi-center population-based study of US men and women,” they concluded.

Source: Clinical Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2013.05.002
“Association of dietary omega-3 fatty acids with prevalence of metabolic syndrome: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study”
Authors: Y.H.L. Lai, A.B. Petrone, J.S. Pankow