1. Artemis P. Simopoulos, M.D.
President
The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health
Washington DC, USA
Evolutionary Aspects of Diet with the emphasis on Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Functional Forum: The Evolution of Medicine
Arlington, Virginia
October 10, 2016 1

2. The concept of positive health
Positive health requires a knowledge of man’s primary constitution (what today we would call genetics) and of the powers of various foods, both those natural to them and those resulting from human skill (today’s processed food). But eating alone is not enough for health. There must also be exercise, of which the effects must likewise be known. The combination of these two things makes regimen, when proper attention is given to the season of the year, the changes of the winds, the age of the individual and the situation of his home. If there is any deficiency in food or exercise the body will fall sick.
~Hippocrates

3. Relationships between genes, environment, and development are dynamic
Genotype
Environment
Phenotype
Development
Childs, B. (1990). Genetic Variation and Nutrition. World Rev Nutr Diet, Vol 63.

4. Hypothetical scheme of fat, fatty acid (ω6 and ω3, trans and total) intake (as percent of calories from fat) and intake of vitamins E and C (mg/d)
Simopoulos AP: Genetic variation and evolutionary aspects of diet. In: Antioxidant Status, Diet, Nutrition, and Health, Papas AM (Editor), CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1999, pp 4

5. National Geographic, September 1969, Vol. 136, No. 3.

7. n-6 and n-3 fatty acid metabolic pathways
n-6 and n-3 fatty acid metabolic pathways. FADS1, fatty acid desaturase 1; FADS2, fatty acid desaturase 2

8. Ratios of dietary ω6:ω3 fatty acids in the late Paleolithic period and in current Western dietary patterns (g/d) a,b
Paleolithic
Western
LA:ALA
0.70
18.75
AA+DTA:EPA+DPA+DHA
1.79
3.33
Total
0.79
16.74
aData from Eaton et al. (1998), World Rev Nutr Diet.
bAssuming an energy intake of 35:65 of animal:plant sources. 8

9. ω6:ω3 ratios in various populations
Reference
Paleolithic
0.79 a,b
Eaton et al, 1998
Greece prior to 1960
Simopoulos, 1999
Current United States
16.74
United Kingdom and northern Europe
15.00
Sanders, 2000
Japan
4.00
Sugano and Hirahana, 2000
India rural
5-6.1
Pella et al, 2003
India urban
38-50
aData from Eaton et al. (1998), World Rev Nutr Diet.
bAssuming an energy intake of 35:65 of animal: plant sources. 9

10. Omega-3 fatty acids in traditional diets
In traditional diets, omega-3 fatty acids are found throughout the food chain
Eggs have a ratio of omega-6:omega-3 of 1:1
Pasta made with eggs and milk that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids is enriched in omega-3’s
Pasta made with water and flour, or regular milk, is not enriched in omega-3’s.

11. Mediterranean α-linolenic acid rich diet in secondary prevention of CHD: End points (27 months mean follow up)
de Lorgeril, M. et al. Lancet 1994; 343:

12. Eicosanoid Formation and Metabolism12

13. Catabolic pathways of arachidonic acid

14. Lipid Mediators
Uncontrolled inflammation is now appreciated in the pathogenesis of many diseases that were not previously considered classic inflammatory diseases- Atherosclerosis, cancer, and several neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
EPA Resolvins of E series
DHA Resolvins of D series
DHA Protectins D
DHA Neuroprotectin D1
AA Lipoxins A4, B4 14

15. IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION15

16. Chronic inflammatory diseases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis
Psoriasis
Lupus Erythematosus
Diabetes (I & II)
Obesity
Atherosclerosis
Cancer
IL-1 (IL-α AND IL-1-β), IL-1ra TNF are elevated 16

17. PLASMA LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS
THROMBOSIS AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS 17

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