A study by the Kindai University has deciphered the molecular mechanisms behind the benefits of omega-3 for heart health.
Although the benefits of EPA on heart health have long been discussed, it has never been fully understood how the unsaturated fat exhibits its effects — until now.
The research, which can be found in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, found that Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) can assist the body in maintaining calcium homeostasis, which is often thrown off by a high prevalence of saturated fats in the body.
Maintaining calcium homeostasis with omega-3
Saturated fats such as oleic and palmitic acids were found to reduce the activity of L-type CaV1.2 channels present in cardiomyocytes — a system of channels that are crucial for normal cardiac function.
When EPA was applied to these cardiac muscle cells, however, they found that it could mitigate the negative effects that saturated fats have on the calcium channel's current.
Calcium homeostasis is critical to the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system, and it appears that omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA can balance out the negative effects caused by saturated fats on heart health.
EPA for oxidative stress prevention and normal cardiomyocyte beating
It was also found that saturated fats could reduce the beating rate of the cardiac muscle cells, which can impact the overall functionality of the cardiovascular system.
However, when EPA was applied to these cells, they had a protective effect against this occurrence.
As well as protecting against cardiac calcium imbalance and dysfunctional beating rates, EPA could also protect the heart against oxidative stress, which was also found to be exacerbated by saturated fats.
This novel evidence surrounding the molecular mechanisms behind EPA's beneficial effects could potentially lay the foundations for new nutritional strategies, while also offering consumers a cost-efficient way to manage their heart health.