STABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF OMEGA-3 OILS AND THEIR RANDOMIZED COUNTERPARTS

摘要

Omega-3 fatty acids have attracted much attention with respect to their biological significance and health benefits. Literature in recent years has confirmed that omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in alleviating cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), psychiatric disorders, parkinson's disease, and inflammatory ailments, among others. These beneficial effects of marine oils are generally rendered through eicosanoids produced from long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and those against CVD are by raising plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, reducing the likelihood of cardiac arrhythmias, lowering plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) levels and blood pressure, particularly in subjects with high blood pressure. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has proven to be essential for the development of the foetal brain and retina of the eye as it is one of the most abundant fatty acids in the cellular membranes of the brain and its level in the foetal brain increases steadily during the last trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, addition of DHA is strongly recommended for infant formula as well as in the diet of pregnant and lactating women.