Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Serum Markers of Cardiovascular Disease

[Guest guest]

Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own

opinion. I have no further knowledge of the topic. If you do not wish to

receive these posts, set your email filter to filter out any messages

coming from @nutritionucanlivewith.com and the program will remove

anything coming from me.

---------------------------------------------------------

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Serum Markers of Cardiovascular Disease

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum markers of

cardiovascular disease risk: a systematic review, " Balk EM, Lichtenstein

AH, et al, Atherosclerosis, 2006; 189(1): 19-30. (Address: Tufts-New

England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center, Institute for

Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts-New England Medical

Center, NEMC #63, Boston, MA 02111, USA. E-mail: ebalk@... ).

Summary: In a systematic review of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids

on several serum markers of cardiovascular disease, it was found that

fish oil helped improve triglyceride levels significantly and HDL levels

modestly, while the effects of alpha-linolenic acid from plants were

inconsistent. Randomized controlled trials were selected for review.

Combining 21 trials evaluating lipid outcomes, the summary net change in

triglycerides from fish oil intake was -27 mg/dL. Higher doses of fish

oil led to greater reductions in triglycerides, and persons with higher

baseline levels of triglycerides showed greater reductions in

triglycerides as well. In terms of effects on cholesterol, the summary

net change in HDL cholesterol was +1.5 mg/dL, and +6 mg/dL for LDL

cholesterol. Fish oil intake showed no effect on total cholesterol

levels. Additionally, no significant consistent effects of fish oil on

Hgb A1c, fasting blood glucose, or hs-CRP were found. Results of studies

looking at the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were inconsistent.

The results of this systematic review suggest that persons with elevated

triglyceride levels may benefit from supplementation with omega-3 fatty

acid-rich fish oil.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

" Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease "

" Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy "

http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/