Fish oil supplementation does not lower plasma cholesterol in men with hypercholesterolemia

Article Abstract:

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in certain fish have been said to decrease the risk of coronary heart disease. When the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed with atherosclerotic plaques, the blood supply to the heart is compromised. This results in coronary heart disease which increases the risk for myocardial infarction, or heart attack. High blood cholesterol contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. It is thought that the fatty acids in fish oil prevent blood clotting platelet cells from aggregating, lower blood pressure and improve the lipid (fats) levels in the blood. To see if diets rich in fish oil reduce high blood cholesterol, 38 men with cholesterol levels between 220 and 300 milligrams were given fish oil for 12 weeks and then plain safflower oil for 12 weeks. A four-week interval separated the two testing periods. Compared with the period of safflower oil ingestion, total cholesterol levels increased by 4.8 percent and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol increased by 9.1 percent after consuming fish oil. Low density lipoprotein was significantly higher and triglycerides (blood lipids) were lower after fish oil. Total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, however, remained unchanged. Blood cholesterol should be lowered by at least five percent to produce effective therapeutic results. Fish oil failed to lower high blood cholesterol levels in men without high triglyceride levels. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Dietary supplements, Lipoproteins

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Can the hypotriglyceridemic effect of fish oil concentrate be sustained?

Article Abstract:

Sixteen patients with proven increased blood levels of triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia), five of whom also had elevated levels of blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), were examined and subjected to an initial treatment of high dosages of fish oil concentrate followed by a reduced-dosage long-term therapy. From blood drawn monthly, levels of triglycerides, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and other clinical parameters were measured. Initially the levels of blood triglycerides were reduced, but by the third month they had increased by 30 percent. The blood level continued to increase during the period of sustained low-level treatment. The fish oil treatment did increase the level of HDL, but favorable changes were not found with the level of LDL. Fish oil therapy at high dose level followed by sustained low level therapy cannot sustain the initial improvements found in triglyceride levels. Moreover the ability of the high dose level to maintain the effect lessens after the first month of therapy. The benefit of fish oil treatment of increased triglyceride levels may also be limited by the therapy's inability to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol.

Triglycerides, Hyperlipoproteinemia

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Dose-response characteristics of cholesterol-lowering drug therapies: implications for treatment

Article Abstract:

In addition to dietary changes, lower levels of single therapies or combination therapies appear to be the most beneficial and cost-effective ways to treat patients with high cholesterol. A comparison of published studies between 1975 and 1995 on niacin, statin, and bile acid treatments alone or in combination for treating high cholesterol was performed. Strategies were also proposed to treat patients with high cholesterol. Low dose statin or combination therapy may benefit patients with more severe cholesterol levels. Adjustments to diet and exercise programs may benefit patients with mildly high cholesterol levels.

Care and treatment, Usage, Hypercholesterolemia, Anticholesteremic agents

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