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

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Omega-6/3 Fatty Acids

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

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).

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Acknowledgments

Portions of this chapter are reprinted from previous work, where the chapter authors own the original copyright (http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS, Oslo, Norway

    Lena Burri PhD & Kjetil Berge PhD

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  1. Lena Burri PhD
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  2. Kjetil Berge PhD
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Correspondence to Lena Burri PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. DMF Ltd Company, Luxembourg Str 46, Marche/Famenne, 6900, Belgium

    Fabien De Meester PhD

  2. Health Sciences Center, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave. 1295, Tucson, 85724-5155, Arizona, USA

    Ronald Ross Watson PhD

  3. Division of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Avenue, Tucson, 85724, Arizona, USA

    Sherma Zibadi PhD

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Burri, L., Berge, K. (2013). Recent Findings on Cardiovascular and Mental Health Effects of Krill Oil and Omega-3 Phospholipids. In: De Meester, F., Watson, R., Zibadi, S. (eds) Omega-6/3 Fatty Acids. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-215-5_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-215-5_10

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-215-5

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