Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on blood lipid levels
Consumption of moderate to high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in lower triglyceride and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Low-dose docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids moderately increased both low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.Researchers from Macau University of Science and Technology and Jilin University evaluated the effects of dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids on lipid levels, including triglycerides, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The study was published in the journal JAHA.
The researchers found a linear relationship between moderate and high-dose (greater than 2 g) intake of omega-3 fatty acids per day and reductions in triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels in both the general population and in people with hyperlipidemia and obesity.
For example, consumption of 2 g of total omega-3 fatty acids per day resulted in an average 42.61 mg/dL decrease in triglyceride levels. The intake of 3 g of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids decreased triglycerides by an average of 68.9 mg/dL. Taking 2 g of omega-3 fatty acids reduced LDL cholesterol by 4.13 mg/dL, and taking 3 g reduced LDL cholesterol by 8.31 mg/dL.
Intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids at low doses, up to 1.75 g/day, was associated with a small increase in LDL cholesterol (maximum of 2.91 mg/dL) and a small increase in HDL cholesterol (maximum of 3.48 mg/dL). At the same time, taking higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids lowered both LDL and HDL cholesterol levels.
They analyzed the results of 90 randomized trials involving 72,500 people, which evaluated the relationship between intake of omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic) and changes in blood lipid levels.
According to the authors, people with dyslipidemia should be recommended to take moderate doses of omega-3 fatty acids, and patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease should take high doses of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids.
Source: Association Between Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Intake and Dyslipidemia: A Continuous Dose–Response Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials | Journal of the American Heart Association (ahajournals.org)