Circulating n-3 fatty acid levels and total and cause-specific mortality: A de novo pooled analysis from 17 prospective studies

Abstract

The health effects of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) have been controversial. A de novo pooled analysis was conducted with 17 prospective cohort studies examining the associations between blood n-3 FAs levels and risk for all-cause mortality. Over a median of 15 years of follow-up, 15,720 deaths occurred among 42,466 individuals. After adjustment for relevant risk factors, risk for death from all causes was significantly lower (by 15-18%) in the highest vs the lowest quintile for circulating long chain (20-22 carbon) n-3 FAs, but not for the 18-carbon n-3 FA. These novel findings suggest that higher circulating levels of marine n-3 PUFA may be associated with a lower risk of premature death.