Summary
This narrative review by Simopoulos synthesises evolutionary and epidemiological evidence to argue that the human genome evolved on a diet with an omega-6/omega-3 ratio of approximately 1:1, whereas contemporary Western diets present ratios of 15–20:1 or higher. The paper contends that this imbalance promotes the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, and that genetic variation further modifies individual susceptibility. It draws on comparative dietary data from hunter-gatherer populations, animal feeding studies, and clinical research to frame dietary fatty acid balance as a public health priority.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK nutrition policy and public health practice, given that UK diets similarly reflect high omega-6 intakes from vegetable oils and reduced omega-3 intakes; they are relevant to dietary guidelines and to debate around the fatty acid composition of UK livestock and food products.
Key measures
Omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio; prevalence of chronic diseases; genetic polymorphisms in fatty acid metabolism pathways
Outcomes reported
The paper examines how the shift in dietary omega-6/omega-3 ratios during human evolution relates to the prevalence of chronic diseases, and how genetic variation modulates individual responses to these fatty acid imbalances.
Topic tags
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