Omega-3 fatty acids are used together with lifestyle changes (diet, weight-loss, exercise) to reduce the amount of triglycerides (a fat-like substance) in the blood in people with very high triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acids are in a class of medications called antilipemic or lipid-regulating agents. Omega-3 fatty acids may work by decreasing the amount of triglycerides and other fats made in the liver.
The FADS2 gene encodes an enzyme known as Fatty acid desaturase 2, which causes desaturation of fatty acids, converting
dietary -linolenic acid (ALA) to omega-3 long-chain fatty acids (EPA), a precursor of the active form - DHA.
Blood levels of Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) are influenced not only by diet, but to a large extent also by genetic variants. These variants are common in Europeans 4
People with low or intermediate efficiency genotypes may not benefit from taking plant sources (ALA) of omega fatty acids and may benefit more from micro algae oil which has more of the EPA form. People with these genotypes also had a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema.4
Related to:
EPA, DHA, Lovaza, Omytrg, Vascepa, Epanova