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Omega-3 fatty acids are classed as essential fatty acids. These fatty acids were originally designated as "Vitamin F", until it was realized that they must be classified with the fats.

The term "omega-3" signifies that the first double bond in the carbon backbone of the fatty acid, counting from the end opposite the acid group, occurs in the third carbon-carbon bond.

Common omega-3 fatty acids in the body are linolenic acid (18:3), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6).

It has been conjectured that the diet in the Human Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness may have been rich in seafood, and that modern diets are deficient in the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids, perhaps leading to a number of modern illnesses.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important precursors of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

1 Possible benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

A number of remarkable benefits have been attributed to omega-3 fatty acids in recent years. However, these are so far provisional results, and cannot yet be regarded as fact until they have been confirmed by further studies.

• There are preliminary reports that supplementing the diet with large doses of omega-3 oils may act as a mood stabilizer, opening the possibility of their use as a treatment for depression and bipolar disorderAs categorized by the DSM-IV, bipolar disorder is a form of mood disorder characterised by a variation of mood between a phase of manic or hypomanic elation, hyperactivity and hyper imagination, and a depressive phase of inhibition, slowness to conceive i. However, the reports relating to this state that care must be taken to avoid overdose, and more research is needed.
• Lower doses have also been reported as having possible beneficial cardiovascular effects,.
• There are also initial reports that omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of dementiaDementia (from L. demens is progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Particularly affected areas may be memory, attention, language and problem solving, although parti in old age.

2 Known and suspected risks of omega-3 fatty acids

In its letter entitled Letter Regarding Dietary Supplement Health Claim for Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Coronary Heart Disease the U. S. Food and Drug AdministrationThe United States Food and Drug Administration is the government agency responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, biologics and blood products in the United States. One aspect of its jurisdiction over food is Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements noted that the known or suspected risks of omega-3 fatty acids may include:

• increased bleeding times,
• the possibility of hemorrhagic stroke,
• oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids forming biologically active oxidation products,
• increased levels of low density lipoproteinLow-density lipoprotein LDL refers to a class and range of lipoprotein particles, varying somewhat in their size and contents, which carry cholesterol in the blood and around the body, for use by various cells. It is commonly referred to as bad cholesteros (LDL) cholesterol or apoproteins associated with LDL cholesterol among diabetics and hyperlipidemics,
• reduced glycemic control among diabetics.
• suppression of immune and inflammation responses, and consequently, to decreased resistance to infections and increased susceptibility to opportunistic bacteria

In addition, another potential risk is the possibility of vitamin poisoningWhile vitamins are important in maintaining health, excessive levels of vitamins can lead to vitamin poisoning hypervitaminosis . Some of the vitamins most commonly linked to vitamin poisoning are Vitamin A, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin D. The medic from taking large doses of supplements which contain Omega-3 fatty acids in addition to other dietary substances.