Background/Aims: A high Omega-3 Index is associated with a lower risk of sudden cardiac death, and dietary fish oil supplementation has been shown to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. There is little research examining CVD risk factor modification resulting from change in the Omega-3 Index due to fish oil supplementation. We aimed to assess the effects of 12 weeks fish oil supplementation on change in Omega-3 Index together with CVD risk factors.
Methods: Fifty overweight men were randomised to receive fish oil (1728mg fish oil containing 1000mg EPA + DHA per day) combined with 200mg antioxidant (coenzyme Q10), or placebo (2g olive oil) for 12 weeks. Anthropometry and biochemical outcomes were measured at baseline, six and 12 weeks supplementation. Relationships between change in Omega-3 Index and change in anthropometric and biochemical outcomes were examined by linear regression.
Results: Forty-eight men completed the trial. Baseline Omega-3 Index was high in both the fish oil and placebo groups (7.9±0.4% and 8.1±0.3%, respectively). Fish oil supplementation resulted in a large and significant increase in Omega-3 Index (Δ 2.8±0.3%), whereas placebo supplementation did not (Δ 0.3±0.2%, P<0.001). There was no significant effect of change in Omega-3 Index on CVD risk markers (P>0.05 for all).
Conclusions: In overweight men with a high baseline omega-3 Index fish, oil supplementation increased the Omega-3 Index but this was not associated with improvement in CVD risk markers.
Funding source(s): This research was supported by Blackmores Australia Ltd.