Special Issue "Omega-3 Update"
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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2010)
Special Issue Editor
Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Dr. Peter Howe
Professor of Nutrition Research
Director, Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Website: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cnrc/
E-Mail: peter.howe@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: +618 8302 1200
Fax: +618 8302 2178
Interests: role of diet and exercise in health optimisation - impact on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and elucidation of underlying mechanisms; development of an integrated approach (diet, lifestyle and drugs) to risk management; food sources and intake recommendations for omega-3 and other bioactive nutrients
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recognition of the diverse health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and their significance for population health has been one of the most fascinating developments in nutritional science. However, before its full impact can be realised, there are still many scientific challenges to be addressed as health policy, delivery and environmental issues are resolved. At the same time, knowledge of physiological functions and health benefits continues to expand and diversify in areas of growing need, such as metabolic and mental health. The purpose of this special issue is to update progress in selected of fields of omega-3 research endeavour.
Prof. Dr. Peter Howe
Editor-in-Chief
Submission
All manuscripts should be submitted to nutrients@mdpi.com with a copy to the Guest Editor. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the
Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript.
Article Processing Charges (APC) for publication in this
Open Access journal will be waived for well-prepared manuscripts submitted before 30 June 2010. English correction and/or formatting fees of 250 CHF (Swiss Francs) will be charged in certain cases for those articles accepted for publication that require extensive additional formatting and/or English corrections.
Published Papers (6 papers)
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Received: 3 December 2009 / Accepted: 3 February 2010 / Published: 9 February 2010
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Abstract: Around one in four people suffer from mental illness at some stage in their lifetime. There is increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), for optimal brain development and function. Hence in recent decades, researchers have explored effects of n-3 PUFA on mental health problems over the lifespan, from developmental disorders in childhood, to depression, aggression, and schizophrenia in adulthood, and cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in late adulthood. This review provides an updated overview of the published and the registered clinical trials that investigate effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on mental health and behavior, highlighting methodological differences and issues.
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Received: 28 January 2010 / Accepted: 11 February 2010 / Published: 21 February 2010
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Abstract: The aims were to compare intakes of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC n-3 PUFA) in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Australia and to compare these intakes to the Australian National Nutrition Survey of 1995 (NNS95) [1] and to determine if the LC n-3 PUFA intakes differed in women who may be ‘at risk’ compared with women ‘not at risk’ of developing post-natal depression (PND). A validated LC n-3 PUFA food frequency questionnaire and pregnant women’s Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores were used. LC n-3 PUFA intakes were comparable to the NNS95 but did not differ due to pregnancy or whether or not a woman is at risk of developing PND.
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Received: 20 February 2010; in revised form: 16 March 2010 / Accepted: 16 March 2010 / Published: 18 March 2010
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Abstract: Long chain fatty acids influence inflammation through a variety of mechanisms; many of these are mediated by, or at least associated with, changes in fatty acid composition of cell membranes. Changes in these compositions can modify membrane fluidity, cell signaling leading to altered gene expression, and the pattern of lipid mediator production. Cell involved in the inflammatory response are typically rich in the n-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid, but the contents of arachidonic acid and of the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can be altered through oral administration of EPA and DHA. Eicosanoids produced from arachidonic acid have roles in inflammation. EPA also gives rise to eicosanoids and these often have differing properties from those of arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids. EPA and DHA give rise to newly discovered resolvins which are anti-inflammatory and inflammation resolving. Increased membrane content of EPA and DHA (and decreased arachidonic acid content) results in a changed pattern of production of eicosanoids and resolvins. Changing the fatty acid composition of cells involved in the inflammatory response also affects production of peptide mediators of inflammation (adhesion molecules, cytokines etc.). Thus, the fatty acid composition of cells involved in the inflammatory response influences their function; the contents of arachidonic acid, EPA and DHA appear to be especially important. The anti-inflammatory effects of marine n-3 PUFAs suggest that they may be useful as therapeutic agents in disorders with an inflammatory component.
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Received: 1 March 2010; in revised form: 9 March 2010 / Accepted: 10 March 2010 / Published: 23 March 2010
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Abstract: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an unresolved health issue, and responsible for 15% of all deaths in Western countries. Epidemiologic evidence, as well as evidence from clinical trials, indicates that increasing intake and high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) protect from SCD and other major adverse cardiac events. Levels of EPA+DHA are best assessed by the Omega-3 Index, representing the red cell fatty acid content of EPA+DHA. Work is in progress that will further define the value of the Omega-3 Index as a risk factor for SCD, other cardiac events, and as target for treatment with EPA+DHA.
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Received: 1 March 2010; in revised form: 30 April 2010 / Accepted: 20 May 2010 / Published: 26 May 2010
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Abstract: Seafood is currently the best and generally a safe source of long-chain (LC, (≥C20) omega-3 oils amongst the common food groups. LC omega-3 oils are also obtained in lower amounts per serve from red meat, egg and selected other foods. As global population increases the opportunities to increase seafood harvest are limited, therefore new alternate sources are required. Emerging sources include microalgae and under-utilized resources such as Southern Ocean krill. Prospects for new land plant sources of these unique and health-benefiting oils are also particularly promising, offering hope for alternate and sustainable supplies of these key oils, with resulting health, social, economic and environmental benefits.
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Received: 4 November 2010; in revised form: 1 December 2010 / Accepted: 8 December 2010 / Published: 9 December 2010
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Abstract: Current recommendations for counteracting obesity advocate the consumption of a healthy diet and participation in regular physical activity, but many individuals have difficulty complying with these recommendations. Studies in rodents and humans have indicated that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) potentially elicit a number of effects which might be useful for reducing obesity, including suppression of appetite, improvements in circulation which might facilitate nutrient delivery to skeletal muscle and changes in gene expression which shift metabolism toward increased accretion of lean tissue, enhanced fat oxidation and energy expenditure and reduced fat deposition. While LC n-3 PUFA supplementation has been shown to reduce obesity in rodents, evidence in humans is limited. Epidemiological associations between LC n-3 PUFA intakes and obesity are inconclusive but small cross-sectional studies have demonstrated inverse relationships between markers of LC n-3 PUFA status and markers of obesity. Human intervention trials indicate potential benefits of LC n-3 PUFA supplementation, especially when combined with energy-restricted diets or exercise, but more well-controlled and long-term trials are needed to confirm these effects and identify mechanisms of action.
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Last update: 12 February 2010
