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 .
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation accelerates chylomicron triglyceride clearance Published, JLR Papers in Press, December 1, 2002. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M200282-JLR200
Omega-3 fatty acids ( FAs ) reduce postpr and ial triacylglycerol ( TG ) concentrations . This study was undertaken to determine whether this effect was due to reduced production or increased clearance of chylomicrons . Healthy subjects ( n = 33 ) began with a 4-week , olive oil placebo ( 4 g/d ) run-in period . After a 4-week wash-out period , subjects were r and omized to supplementation with 4 g/d of ethyl esters of either safflower oil ( SAF ) , eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) , or docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) for 4 weeks . Results for  EPA and DHA  were similar , and therefore the data were combined into one ω-3 FA group . Omega-3 FA supplementation  reduced the postpr and ial TG and apolipoprotein B ( apo B)-48 and apoB-100 concentrations by 16 % ( P = 0.08 ) , 28 % ( P < 0.001 ) , and 24 % ( P < 0.01 ) , respectively . Chylomicron TG half-lives in the fed state were reduced after ω-3 FA treatment ( 6.0 ± 0.5 vs. 5.1 ± 0.4 min ; P < 0.05 ) , but not after SAF ( 6.9 ± 0.7 vs. 7.1 ± 0.7 min ) . Omega-3 FA supplementation  decreased chylomicron particle sizes ( mean diameter ; 293 ± 44 vs. 175 ± 25 nm ; P < 0.01 ) and increased preheparin lipoprotein lipase ( LPL ; 0.6 ± 0.1 vs. 0.9 ± 0.1 μmol/h/ml ; P < 0.05 ) activity during the fed state , but had no effect on postheparin LPL or hepatic lipase activities . The results suggest that ω-3 FA  supplementation accelerates chylomicron TG clearance by increasing LPL activity , and that EPA and DHA are equally effective
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 .