Combining 21 trials evaluating lipid outcomes , fish oil consumption result ed in a summary net change in triglycerides of -27 ( 95 % CI -33 , -20)mg/dL , in HDL cholesterol of + 1.6 ( 95 % CI + 0.8 , + 2.3)mg/dL , and in LDL cholesterol of + 6 ( 95 % CI + 3 , + 8)mg/dL. There was no effect of fish oil on total cholesterol .
Across studies , higher fish oil dose and higher baseline levels were associated with greater reductions in serum triglycerides .
The evidence supports a dose-dependent beneficial effect of fish oil on serum triglycerides , particularly among people with more elevated levels .
Fish oil consumption also modestly improves HDL cholesterol , increases LDL cholesterol levels , but does not appear to adversely affect glucose homeostasis .
The evidence regarding the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on hs-CRP is inconclusive , as are data on ALA
Greater fish oil consumption has been associated with reduced CVD risk , although the mechanisms are unclear .
Plant- source oil omega-3 fatty acids ( ALA ) have also been studied regarding their cardiovascular effect .
Purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids have differential effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins, LDL particle size, glucose, and insulin in mildly hyperlipidemic men.
BACKGROUND Regular consumption of n-3 fatty acids of marine origin can improve serum lipids and reduce cardiovascular risk . OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to determine whether eicosapentaenoic ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic ( DHA ) acids have differential effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins , glucose , and insulin in humans . DESIGN In a double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of parallel design , 59 overweight , nonsmoking , mildly hyperlipidemic men were r and omly assigned to receive 4 g purified EPA , DHA , or olive oil ( placebo ) daily while continuing their usual diets for 6 wk . RESULTS Fifty-six men aged 48.8 + /- 1.1 y completed the study . Relative to those in the olive oil group , triacylglycerols fell by 0.45 + /- 0.15 mmol/L ( approximately 20 % ; P = 0.003 ) in the DHA group and by 0.37 + /- 0.14 mmol/L ( approximately 18 % ; P = 0.012 ) in the EPA group . Neither EPA nor DHA had any effect on total cholesterol . LDL , HDL , and HDL(2 ) cholesterol were not affected significantly by EPA , but HDL(3 ) cholesterol decreased significantly ( 6.7 % ; P = 0.032 ) . Although HDL cholesterol was not significantly increased by DHA ( 3 . 1 % ) , HDL(2 ) cholesterol increased by approximately 29 % ( P = 0.004 ) . DHA increased LDL cholesterol by 8 % ( P = 0.019 ) . Adjusted LDL particle size increased by 0.25 + /- 0.08 nm ( P = 0.002 ) with DHA but not with EPA . EPA supplementation increased plasma and platelet phospholipid EPA but reduced  DHA . DHA supplementation increased DHA and EPA in plasma and platelet phospholipids . Both EPA and DHA increased fasting insulin significantly .  EPA , but not DHA , tended to increase fasting glucose , but not significantly so . CONCLUSIONS EPA and DHA had differential effects on lipids , fatty acids , and glucose metabolism in overweight men with mild hyperlipidemia
Combining 21 trials evaluating lipid outcomes , fish oil consumption result ed in a summary net change in triglycerides of -27 ( 95 % CI -33 , -20)mg/dL , in HDL cholesterol of + 1.6 ( 95 % CI + 0.8 , + 2.3)mg/dL , and in LDL cholesterol of + 6 ( 95 % CI + 3 , + 8)mg/dL. There was no effect of fish oil on total cholesterol .
Across studies , higher fish oil dose and higher baseline levels were associated with greater reductions in serum triglycerides .
The evidence supports a dose-dependent beneficial effect of fish oil on serum triglycerides , particularly among people with more elevated levels .
Fish oil consumption also modestly improves HDL cholesterol , increases LDL cholesterol levels , but does not appear to adversely affect glucose homeostasis .
The evidence regarding the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on hs-CRP is inconclusive , as are data on ALA
Greater fish oil consumption has been associated with reduced CVD risk , although the mechanisms are unclear .
Plant- source oil omega-3 fatty acids ( ALA ) have also been studied regarding their cardiovascular effect .