Recent Findings on Cardiovascular and Mental Health Effects of Krill Oil and Omega-3 Phospholipids

The n-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) are essential in cardiac, mental, and visual function throughout one’s life. The mechanism of omega-3 action involves their capability to change membrane FA composition, fluidity, and function, regulate gene transcription, and alter metabolic and signal transduction pathways. High omega-3 FA intake has been associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and more (1, 2). Omega-3 FAs may have cardioprotective effects via multiple mechanisms, including their hypotriglyceridemic effect in plasma, arrhythmia prevention, anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerotic, and antithrombotic effects, and influence on free radical formation and energy metabolism (3, 4). Other changes, like increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and reducing blood pressure and resting heart rate, have also been attributed to omega-3 FA intake, which modifies cardiovascular risk (5). Further, a connection has been uncovered between omega-3 FA levels and nervous system activity, cognitive function, memory, recovery from brain damage, synaptic transmission, and synaptogenesis (6).