Optimizing Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Healthy Ageing: Human Intake Evidence and Dairy Cow Dietary Interventions for Milk Enrichment

TL;DR

This paper reviews how omega-3 fatty acids can support healthy aging in humans and how enriching dairy milk with these nutrients through cow diets could improve public health.

Contribution

The novelty lies in combining human health evidence with strategies to enrich dairy milk through cow dietary interventions.

Findings

Higher PUFA intake in older adults is linked to better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of age-related diseases.

Dairy cow diets can be manipulated to increase PUFA content in milk, potentially enhancing human nutrition.

Omega-3s help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are key factors in age-related decline.

Abstract

As populations around the world continue to age, promoting healthy ageing has become a key public health priority. Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining physical and cognitive function later in life, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential components of cell membranes and are known for their anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective effects. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are major contributors to age-related decline, and omega-3s help mitigate these processes by modulating immune responses and improving endothelial function. This systematic review aims to examine the potential of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammatory markers and improve overall health. Moreover, it aims to present the most effective dietary interventions in dairy cows that increase PUFA content in milk. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles published up to November 2025. Evidence suggests that older adults who consume higher levels of PUFA tend to have better cardiovascular health, preserved cognitive function, and a lower risk of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and arthritis, and reduce the risk of frailty and disability in later years. Dietary manipulation to enhance PUFA in bovine milk represents a promising strategy for improving human nutrition while potentially benefiting cow health.

Figures