Key Findings
The WHO recommendation for omega-6/omega-3 ratio is 5 – 8. A high omega-6/omega-3 ratio promotes chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, whereas increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids (reduced omega-6/omega-3 ratio) suppresses the effect. This study analyzed the ratio in a group of 176 urban Indians. The median of omega-6/omega-3 ratio in the study population was 36.69 (range: 6.21 – 183.69). High levels of omega-6/3 ratio were associated with increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, cholesterol/HDL-C ratio and apo B levels. There was no correlation observed with hsCRP, LDL- particle size, abdominal obesity and body mass index. High omega-6/omega-3 ratios were associated with dyslipidemia suggesting disturbances in lipid metabolism, which need to be further evaluated.
ABSTRACT:
High omega-6/omega-3 ratio intake promotes development of many chronic diseases. Secondary prevention studies though have demonstrated a decline in progression of many such diseases after reducing the intake, specific biochemical indices of cardiovascular disease risk markers have not been evaluated. We have evaluated the circulating levels of omega-6/omega-3 ratio and its effect on cardiovascular risk markers in India. Present study was conducted in industrial setting where employees were randomly selected. Data on their demographic characteristics were collected using pre-tested questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected from all the participants. Serum was separated and stored at -80°C till the time of analysis. Lipids were estimated using standard kits. Fatty acids in serum were estimated by Gas chromatography. The identified Omega-3 fatty acid included were 18:3 (Alpha-linolenic acid), 20:5 (Eicosapentenoic acid) & 22:6 (Docosahexenoic acid). Among omega-6 included were 18:2 (linoleic acid), 18:3 (gamma-linolenic acid) & 20:4 (Arachidonic acid). Complete data was available for 176 participants (89% males and 11% females) with mean age of 47.23 ± 6.00 years. The bmi of the participants was 24.88 ± 3.43 Kg/m2 and waist circumference was 91.50 ± 9.56 cm. The median of omega-6/omega-3 ratio in the study population was 36.69 (range: 6.21 – 183.69). The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, ldl-cholesterol and cholesterol/hdl ratio and apo B correlated significantly with omega-6/3 ratio. There was no correlation observed with hsCRP and LDL-particle size. A direct relationship of omega-6/omega-3 ratio with dyslipidemia was observed in our study.
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