Omega-3 gantz azidoak eta osasuna

Abstract

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found in significant amounts in fatty fish and especially in the oil obtained from these species, which is actually used as a nutritional supplement (nutraceutical). After ingestion, both EPA and DHA are rapidly incorporated into cellular membrane phospholipids where they can be released by lipooxygenases and cyclooxygenases enzymes and transformed in powerful bioactive products which have cytoprotective and especially anti-inflammatory activities. Clinical and epidemiological evidence have firmly established that consumption of EPA and DHA may contribute to the prevention and/or treatment of a number of diseases, especially those where inflammation process plays a remarkable role in its development. EPA and DHA exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties, either via the generation of anti-inflammatory products, such as resolvins, or by blocking inflammatory agents. The evidence suggests that omega-3 LC-PUFA may have promising applications in the prevention and/or treatment of different clinical and nutritional pathologies. However, nowadays the consumption of foods rich in saturated fats has increased drastically to the detriment of healthy fatty acids, thus much of the population has a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids. This has a great impact on the development of degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, processes with a strong inflammatory component, and especially on the development and health of the vision and central nervous system, where there is a high concentration of DHA in particular.