Omega-3 Index of Canadian adults.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional population survey
What was done
Data from respondents aged 20 to 79 from cycle 3 (2012/2013) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey were analyzed to calculate mean Omega-3 Index (red blood cell EPA+DHA percentage) and prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk categories: high (4% or less), moderate (more than 4% to less than 8%), and low (8% or more). Stratifications were performed by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors (including fish intake and omega-3 supplements), and multivariate regression was used to evaluate associations with CHD-related biomarkers, risk factors, and prior events.
What was found
The mean Omega-3 Index among Canadian adults aged 20 to 79 was 4.5%. Fewer than 3% had levels in the low-risk category (8% or more), while 43% had levels in the high-risk category (4% or less). Levels were higher in women, older adults, Asians and other non-white Canadians, omega-3 supplement users, and fish consumers, and lower in smokers and individuals with obesity. After adjusting for control variables, no CHD-related factor remained significantly associated with the Omega-3 Index.
Why it matters
This paper provides the first national direct measurements of the Omega-3 Index in Canadian adults, demonstrating that over 97% are below the proposed cardioprotective threshold of 8%.
Limits
The total sample size was not stated in the abstract. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causal relationships, and lifestyle factors such as fish intake and supplement use were self-reported.
Cited by
- supports Smokers have a lower Omega-3 Index than non-smokers.