Omega-3 fatty acids and their influence on hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis: Insights from a Mendelian randomization approach

It has been suggested that Omega-3 fatty acids may improve endothelial thickness and thereby reduce the onset of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary atherosclerosis and hypertension. However, published observational epidemiological studies on the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Omega-3 fatty acids remain inconclusive. Here, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis using publicly available GWAS pooled statistics to study a GWAS dataset of 16 380 466 SNPs in 23 363 cases and 195 429 controls (also of European ancestry) to determine genetic susceptibility to hypertension. We performed random-effects Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses supplemented by a series of sensitivity assessments to measure the robustness of the findings and to detect any violations of the MR assumptions. During the course of the study, we used IVW, MR-Egger, and weighted median regression to infer that Omega-3 intake has a potentially adverse effect against atherosclerosis, although the trend was not significant (OR = 1.1198; 95%; CI: 0.9641-1.3006, p = .130). Meanwhile, our analyses showed a statistically significant negative association between Omega-3 fatty acid levels and risk of hypertension (OR = 0.9006; 95% CI: 0.8179-0.9917, p = .033). In addition, we explored the causal relationship between atherosclerosis and hypertension and found a significant correlation (OR = 1.3036; 95% CI: 1.0672-1.5923, p = .009). In conclusion, our extensive data investigated by MR suggest that elevated levels of Omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with an decreased risk of hypertension. Although there is no direct link between hypertension and atherosclerosis, the possibility of a subtle association cannot be categorically excluded.

United States menhaden oil could save billions in U.S. health care costs and improve IQ in children

The United States menhaden oil annual production is sufficient to supply all of the recommended long chain Omega‐3s for Americans over 55 with coronary heart disease (CHD) and pregnant and lactating women. According to a recent study, the utilization of preventable intake levels could potentially save up to $1.7 billion annually in hospital costs alone. In addition, the remaining oil could be used to support a culture of enough Atlantic salmon to provide every pregnant and lactating woman in the U.S. with 8‐12 ounces of fish per week, as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), throughout the duration of pregnancy and lactation. Based on the FDA's quantitative assessment, this may result in a net increase of IQ by 5.5 points in children and improve their early age verbal development.

Transgenic plants as a sustainable, terrestrial source of fish oils

An alternative, sustainable source of omega‐3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids is widely recognized as desirable, helping to reduce pressure on current sources (wild capture fisheries) and providing a de novo source of these health beneficial fatty acids. This review will consider the efforts and progress to develop transgenic plants as terrestrial sources of omega‐3 fish oils, focusing on recent developments and the possible explanations for advances in the field. We also consider the utility of such a source for use in aquaculture, since this industry is the major consumer of oceanic supplies of omega‐3 fish oils. Given the importance of the aquaculture industry in meeting global requirements for healthy foodstuffs, an alternative source of omega‐3 fish oils represents a potentially significant breakthrough for this production system.

Transgenic Camelina seeds engineered to accumulate the omega‐3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, represent a sustainable alternative to fish oils.