Can essential fatty acids reduce the burden of disease(s)?

Abstract

Coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, depression schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and collagen vascular diseases are low-grade systemic inflammatory conditions that are a severe burden on health care resources. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and their metabolites: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), and arachidonic acid (AA) and their products: prostaglandin E1, prostacyclin, lipoxins, resolvins, and protectins suppress inflammation, augment healing, and are of benefit in the prevention and management of these conditions. Hence, supplementation of EFAs could reduce burden of these disease(s).

Figure 1

Scheme showing metabolism of essential fatty acids and factors that modulate the formation of their metabolites and their actions. Pro-inflammatory molecules include various PGs, LTs, TXs, and cytokines. For further details see text. NO = Endothelial Nitric oxide. Green line: Indicates prevention or suppression of disease and augmentation of healing process and inhibition of pro-inflammatory events or production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Red line: Indicates initiation or progression of disease, inflammatory process or augmentation of production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Double arrow: Indicates interaction between these molecules or feedback regulation. Eicosanoids formed from EPA are generally less inflammatory in nature compared to those formed from AA. Eicosanoids includes PGs, LTs, TXs, EETs, and HETEs.