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Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

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Abstract

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing dramatically especially in developing countries like India. CVD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. There has been a growing awareness of the role of nutrients in the prevention of CVD. One specific recommendation in the battle against CVD is the increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated fatty acids. Studies have reported inverse associations of CVD with dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids, suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation might exert protective effects on CVD. They exert their cardioprotective effect through multiple mechanisms. Omega-3 fatty acid therapy has shown promise as a useful tool in the primary and secondary prevention of CVD. This review briefly summarizes the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of CVD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China

    Yong Cao, Lei Lu, Min Liu, RongRong Sun & Yi Zheng

  2. Department of Endocrinology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical College, The Affiliated XuZhou Hospital of Medical College of Southeast University, Xuzhou, 221009, Jiangsu, China

    Jun Liang

  3. Department of Cardiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Xuzhou Hospital of Medical School of Southeast University, Xuzhou Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 199# South Jiefang Road, Xuzhou, 221009, Jiangsu, China

    Xianchi Li & Peiying Zhang

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  1. Yong Cao
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  2. Lei Lu
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  3. Jun Liang
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  4. Min Liu
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Correspondence to Peiying Zhang.

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Yong Cao, Lei Lu, and Jun Liang have contributed equally to this work.

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Cao, Y., Lu, L., Liang, J. et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Cell Biochem Biophys 72, 77–81 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-014-0407-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-014-0407-5

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