Nutrition Science and Advocacy, DSM Nutritional Products, 4303 Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
Nutrients. 2020 Aug 24;12(9):2555. doi: 10.3390/nu12092555.
Life expectancy is increasing and so is the prevalence of age-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Consequently, older people and patients present with multi-morbidities and more complex needs, putting significant pressure on healthcare systems. Effective nutrition interventions could be an important tool to address patient needs, improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Inflammation plays a central role in NCDs, so targeting it is relevant to disease prevention and treatment. The long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LCPUFAs) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are known to reduce inflammation and promote its resolution, suggesting a beneficial role in various therapeutic areas. An expert group reviewed the data on omega-3 LCPUFAs in specific patient populations and medical conditions. Evidence for benefits in cognitive health, age- and disease-related decline in muscle mass, cancer treatment, surgical patients and critical illness was identified. Use of DHA and EPA in some conditions is already included in some relevant guidelines. However, it is important to note that data on the effects of omega-3 LCPUFAs are still inconsistent in many areas (e.g., cognitive decline) due to a range of factors that vary amongst the trials performed to date; these factors include dose, timing and duration; baseline omega-3 LCPUFA status; and intake of other nutrients. Well-designed intervention studies are required to optimize the effects of DHA and EPA in specific patient populations and to develop more personalized strategies for their use.
预期寿命在延长，与年龄相关的非传染性疾病（NCD）的患病率也在上升。因此，老年人和患者出现了多种疾病和更复杂的需求，给医疗保健系统带来了巨大的压力。有效的营养干预措施可能是满足患者需求、改善临床结果和降低医疗保健成本的重要手段。炎症在 NCD 中起着核心作用，因此针对炎症是预防和治疗疾病的相关措施。长链ω-3 多不饱和脂肪酸（ω-3 LCPUFAs）二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）和二十碳五烯酸（EPA）已被证明可以减少炎症并促进其消退，这表明它们在各种治疗领域具有有益作用。一个专家组审查了特定患者人群和医疗条件下ω-3 LCPUFAs 的数据。在认知健康、与年龄和疾病相关的肌肉质量下降、癌症治疗、手术患者和危重病等方面发现了益处的证据。在某些情况下使用 DHA 和 EPA 已经包含在一些相关指南中。然而，值得注意的是，由于迄今为止进行的试验中存在各种因素，ω-3 LCPUFAs 的效果数据在许多领域（例如认知能力下降）仍然不一致；这些因素包括剂量、时间和持续时间；基线ω-3 LCPUFA 状态；以及其他营养素的摄入。需要进行精心设计的干预研究，以优化 DHA 和 EPA 在特定患者人群中的效果，并制定更个性化的使用策略。
