A mixed Australian fish diet and fish-oil supplementation: impact on the plasma lipid profile of healthy men

Article Abstract:

Fish oil supplementation seems to lead to decreases in blood levels of triglyceride (fat), an effect which is associated with cardiovascular benefit. However, this effect has been achieved with doses which are the equivalent of 10 to 15 meals of fatty fish per week. It is not clear if the same benefit could be achieved with fewer meals of nonfatty fish, such as Australian fish. The effect of a six-week diet containing lean fish, with or without modest amounts of fish oil supplements, was evaluated in 12 healthy men. The fatty constituents of cell membranes were altered in men given fish, with or without fish oil. Blood triglyceride levels decreased significantly in men while they were eating the fish diet, and the decrease was greater when fish oil supplements were given. Subjects on the fish-plus-oil diet had significantly lower triglyceride levels than did those on control and fish diets. Total cholesterol levels did not change, but levels of some cholesterol subclasses did change. VLDL-C (very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) decreased by 27 percent in men given fish plus fish oil, an effect beneficial to cardiovascular status. While the proportion of LDL-C (low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) in the same subjects tended to increase, which is not considered beneficial, the ratio of LDL-C to HDL2-C (high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fraction 2) remained steady, a neutral cardiovascular effect. The effects of lean fish alone on cell membranes and of fish plus low levels of fish oil suggest that moderate consumption of lean fish may be beneficial to cardiovascular function. Long-term effects of moderate lean fish and fish oil consumption need to be further studied. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Australia, Physiological aspects, Fish as food, Fish (Food product), Lipids, Fish oils

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Energy supplementation and the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients

Article Abstract:

Persons with renal (kidney) failure, who are treated with hemodialysis (filters blood to remove wastes), are frequently undernourished. One study reported that approximately 30 percent of hemodialysis patients had signs of protein-energy malnutrition. Nutrition among hemodialysis patients may suffer for a combination of reasons, including reduced appetite and food intake, loss of nutrients during hemodialysis, and changes in metabolism that alter nutrient needs. The authors found that the nutrient most deficient in dialysis patients was energy (calories). Attempts to increase the total food intake of these patients have been consistently unsuccessful, but addition of a glucose (sugar) supplement to their diets did improve the growth of children with kidney disease. This approach was used with nine adult patients on regular hemodialysis, who added the glucose polymer Polycose to their foods. The amount of the supplement they were asked to incorporate into their usual diet provided 400 to 600 calories per day. Twelve control subjects who did not use Polycose were also studied. The supplemented group experienced a weight gain averaging 6.8 pounds over the six-month study period. No adverse effects on intake of other nutrients, physical or psychological health were reported. After the study was over, follow-up showed that the patients were able to maintain the weight they had gained. These findings demonstrate that Polycose was effective for improving the nutrition of these dialysis patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Dietary supplements, Dialysis, Dialysis (Chemical process), Hemodialysis

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