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Potential Health Benefits of Plant vs. Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It is know that omega-3 fatty acids may be protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the mechanisms through which omega-3 fatty acids may lower CVD risk is by reducing inflammation. There are two main sources of omega-3 fatty acids: marine sources provide EPA and DHA, and plant food sources provide ALA. There is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal source(s) and dose(s) of omega-3 fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, and flaxseed oil, at a low and high dose, on three markers of inflammation in adults with metabolic syndrome.

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Eligible Participants

  • Generally healthy adults, 18 years of age or older
  • Having metabolic syndrome, as defined in the ATP III guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education program (presenting with at least 3 of the following criteria: central obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure, or high fasting blood sugar)

Study Design

One hundred participants were randomized to one of 5 groups for 8 weeks: low-dose flaxseed oil (LFx); high-dose flaxseed oil (HFx); low-dose fish oil (LFO); high-dose fish oil (HFO); or placebo (P)(soybean oil). They were instructed to continue their usual diet and physical activity routine but to avoid any fish or flaxseed oil supplements, any foods rich in or supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, and supplements containing antioxidants. The participants completed 3 clinic visits: at the beginning of the study and 4 and 8 wk after randomization to provide blood samples and measurements of blood pressure and anthropometric variables for the assessment of three inflammatory markers (IL-6, sICAM-1 and MCP-1) and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions

The results of this study showed that neither the groups randomized to the marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) nor the groups randomized to the plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseed oil) had detectable decreases on inflammation. These findings suggest that there are no beneficial effects for any of the three inflammatory markers investigated in response to omega-3 supplementation in adults with metabolic syndrome regardless of dose or source.

Research