N-3 PUFA (omega-3), and the n-6 PUFA (omega-6) are
essential fatty acids. They must be absorbed by alimentation and play a very important role in the coagulation (inhibition of platelets aggregation) and in the inflammatory reaction (anti-inflammatory effects). Their effects have been studied in different sicknesses. In
cardiovascular diseases, particularly in
coronary diseases, studies demonstrated a decreased mortality in populations who eat an omega-3 rich diet or who take an omega-3 supplement. Among others,
sudden death after
myocardial infarction is decreased. In inflammatory diseases an effect seem to be found in some studies. In
rheumatoid arthritis a decrease of different
biological markers of
inflammation and in some case a clinical improvement has been noticed. It may be the same in
COPD. On the other hand, they seem not to give any protection against
cancer in general. At this moment the recommendations for healthy people are to eat twice a week fat fish and to take omega-3 rich
oils. For pathological cases, recommendations exist only for
coronary disease: 1 g of
fish oils : mixture of eicosapentaenoic and
docosahexaenoic acids (EPA/DHA) should be given after a
myocardial infarction.