Recent research suggests individuals suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) might not be getting enough omega-3 from their diet. Researchers advocate that ensuring an adequate intake of the right omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA as measured by the Omega-3 Index, could significantly mitigate the risk associated with PAD.
PAD, akin to atherosclerosis of the heart arteries, is a condition affecting the arteries in the legs or arms. It arises when these extremities don't receive sufficient blood to meet demand, often leading to pain, known medically as intermittent claudication, signaling inadequate blood flow during exercise.
Symptoms of PAD, as outlined by the Mayo Clinic, include cramping in the hips, thighs, or calf muscles after activities like walking or climbing stairs. Other symptoms might include sores that won't heal, changes in leg color, hair loss or slower hair growth on the legs, slower toenail growth, shiny leg skin, a weak or absent pulse in the legs or feet, and erectile dysfunction in men.
Risk factors for PAD generally increase with age, especially after 65, when blood vessels and arteries become more susceptible to aging. Factors like smoking or diabetes can precipitate PAD onset around age 50. The Mayo Clinic lists smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increasing age, a family history of PAD, heart disease, stroke, and high levels of homocysteine as significant risk factors.
Over 8.5 million American adults are affected by PAD, many unaware of their condition. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that symptomatic plaque buildup in the legs doesn't always manifest symptoms, and those experiencing pain or leg cramps often attribute it to aging or other causes, rather than reporting it.
Diagnosis of PAD involves various techniques including the ankle-brachial index, Doppler and ultrasound imaging, CT angiography, MR angiography, and angiography. Proper diagnosis is critical as PAD can lead to further pain and potential limb loss, with sufferers at a higher risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
To minimize PAD risk, the CDC recommends physical activity, avoiding tobacco, and managing high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Recent research suggests adding an Omega-3 Index test to this list could be a valuable step in assessing PAD risk and implementing preventive measures.
How Omega-3 can help prevent PAD
Evidence from prior studies indicates omega-3's role in various stages of the atherosclerotic process, including improving endothelial function, promoting vasodilation, exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects, delaying plaque progression, increasing plaque stability, and reducing arterial stiffness.
However, clinical studies assessing omega-3 blood levels in individuals with PAD are sparse, motivating this latest research endeavor. Published in the March issue of Lipids, the study found that individuals with PAD had lower Omega-3 Index levels compared to those without the disease, suggesting a possible omega-3 deficiency in PAD patients.
Comparing the Omega-3 Index of 145 PAD patients with 34 controls revealed a significant disparity (5% in PAD patients vs. 6% in controls). Controlling for variables like age, smoking, and medication did not alter the finding of a lower Omega-3 Index in PAD cases.
The study concluded that for every 1% decrease in the Omega-3 Index, the odds of being a PAD patient increased by 39%. Bill Harris, Ph.D., one of the study's authors, suggested that the anti-inflammatory benefits associated with a higher Omega-3 Index might partly explain these results, advocating for further investigation into whether long-term omega-3 supplementation or increased fatty fish intake could prevent PAD development.
A 2013 study reached a similar conclusion, recommending further research to determine if adjusting the Omega-3 Index through diet changes or fish oil supplementation could improve inflammation and symptoms in PAD patients.
This specific study assessed the correlation between omega-3 EPA and DHA content in red blood cells and markers of inflammation and vascular function in a cohort evaluated for PAD. Findings indicated an inverse association between the Omega-3 Index and inflammatory biomarkers, underscoring the potential of omega-3 in mitigating inflammation and enhancing vascular health in PAD sufferers.
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