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Fish Oil and Triglycerides Study

A large and growing body of literature has suggested that fish oil supplements may be protective against cardiovascular disease through lowering triglycerides (TG) in individuals who have high levels in their blood. Two types of fish oil supplements, differing in the way they are manufactured (as ethyl esters vs. triglycerides), are commercially available. However, no research study has evaluated whether these two types of supplements confer similar benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the triglyceride-lowering effect of these two types of supplements in individuals with elevated TG levels. A secondary analysis investigated the effect on LDL-cholesterol concentrations and its sub-particles.

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Eligible Participants

  • Generally healthy adults, 18 years of age or older
  • Having fasting TG concentrations > 150 mg/dL

Study Design

Sixty participants were randomized to one of three different fish oil formulations containing the same dose of EPA and DHA but different proportion of omega-3 fatty acids present as ethyl esters vs. triglycerides for 12 weeks. Each group was given 4 grams per day of combined EPA and DHA provided as: a) 90% TG formulation (TG90), b) 60% TG formulation (TG60), or c) ethyl esters (EE) (i.e., 0% TG). A fourth group (placebo) took a soy oil supplement with an identical total fat content. Participants completed a clinic visit at the beginning and end of the study to provide blood samples for the assessment of blood TGs and other lipids.

Conclusions

All the participants taking fish oil, but not those taking soy oil, experienced a significant decrease (26% overall) in TG concentrations after 12 weeks of supplementation. LDL-cholesterol increased significantly in all fish oil groups but not in the placebo group. This increase was distributed relatively evenly across the range of smaller and more atherogenic as well as larger and less atherogenic LDL particles and was relatively modest with debatable clinical relevance.

Research