Knowledge printed within the American Journal of Medical Diet indicated that individuals with the best common ranges of omega-3s had a 28% decrease threat of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in comparison with these with the bottom common ranges.
“Our findings of an inverse relationship between serum n–3 PUFAs concentrations and threat of future VTE, together with related findings in two case-control research and one massive population-based examine, point out a protecting position of dietary consumption of n–3 PUFAs on VTE threat,” wrote scientists affiliated with educational establishments in Sweden, Norway and the UK.
“This notion is supported by accumulating proof for antithrombotic properties of n–3 PUFAs, equivalent to mitigation of thrombin era, platelet perform, platelet-vessel wall interplay and endogenous coagulation activation, assessed by plasma D-dimer concentrations, all of that are implicated within the pathogenesis of VTE.”
A rising challenge
Venous thromboembolism is reported to have an effect on roughly 10 million folks yearly world wide.
“The speed of VTE has elevated in latest a long time, and VTE is a serious well being care problem as a result of long-term problems, hospitalizations, comorbidities and a excessive mortality charge,” the researchers defined.
Commenting independently, Harry Rice, PhD, vp of regulatory and scientific affairs for the International Group for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), instructed NI: “This text couldn’t be timelier, particularly with a lot of the business heading to Las Vegas subsequent week for SupplySide International. Air journey typically includes prolonged durations of immobility, which might elevate the danger of venous thromboembolism, notably deep vein thrombosis.
“The findings offered right here recommend that people who keep excessive serum omega-3 ranges—via common consumption of fatty fish and supplementation—could also be at considerably decrease threat of in-flight blood clots. In fact, staying hydrated and shifting periodically throughout flights stays important, however this analysis provides one more compelling motive to prioritize omega-3s in a day by day wellness routine.”
Examine particulars
The info thus far on whether or not omega-3s can impression the danger of VTE has been inconsistent. The brand new examine used information from the third survey of the Trøndelag Well being Examine, which included 17,087 people aged 20 and older. Omega-3 ranges had been measured by way of blood draw between 2006 and 2008 and the contributors then adopted over time.
Over a mean of 12 years, the researchers documented 340 VTE occasions. Crunching the numbers confirmed that individuals with the best omega-3 concentrations (higher than or equal to 0.81 mmol/liter) had a 28% decrease threat of VTE, in comparison with folks with the bottom ranges (lower than 0.56 mmol/L).
The discount in threat was much more pronounced for DVT, the place folks within the highest omega-3 group had a 39% discount, in comparison with these within the lowest group.
“Our findings recommend that top serum n–3 PUFA concentrations are protecting in opposition to threat of future VTE,” the researchers wrote. “Though the prices incurred is perhaps prohibitive, randomized managed research assessing dietary interventions with n–3 PUFAs on incident or recurrent VTE are wanted to show causality.
“Our outcomes contribute to the rising proof of a protecting impact of dietary consumption of n–3 PUFAs on VTE threat and must be included within the proof base for future dietary tips and recommendation.”
Filling data gaps
In an accompanying editorial, Christian Bork from Aalborg College in Denmark referred to as the examine “extremely welcome.”
“We’re nonetheless crusing in a sea of uncertainty with regards to the position of ω-3 fatty acids for the event of VTE, however the examine by Johansson et al. contributes to fill the hole within the literature, and their findings definitely spur new questions for additional analysis,” he wrote. “Particularly, investigation of the person ω-3 fatty acids utilizing longer-term biomarkers than serum equivalent to content material in erythrocytes or most popular adipose tissue, mechanistic research, and in the end scientific trials could shut the scientific gaps, which is the salt of scientific analysis.”
Sources:
Examine: The American Journal of Medical Diet. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.08.008. “Excessive concentrations of polyunsaturated n–3 fatty acids in serum are inversely related to threat of future incident venous thromboembolism – the HUNT cohort examine”. Authors: M. Johansson, et al.
Editorial: The American Journal of Medical Diet. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.09.015. “Can ω-3 fatty acids stop venous thromboembolism?”. Writer: C. Bork
