Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases: Still Relevant?

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for an estimated 17.9 million deaths annually. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) - principally eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from marine sources, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from plant sources - have been investigated for decades as potential modulators of cardiovascular risk. Early epidemiological data from Greenlandic Inuit populations and subsequent prospective cohort studies generated substantial optimism regarding their cardioprotective potential. However, a series of large-scale randomized controlled trials conducted between 2018 and 2022 produced conflicting results, reigniting debate about the clinical utility of omega-3 supplementation.