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 .
Effects of low-dose omega-3 fatty acid substitution in type-2 diabetes mellitus with special reference to oxidative stress--a prospective preliminary study.
BACKGROUND A state of increased oxidative stress has been recognised in type 2 diabetes mellitus ( DM ) . The present study was done to assess the effects of low dose omega-3 fatty acids substitution in patients with type 2 DM with special reference to oxidative stress . METHOD Sixty-five patients with type 2 DM of body mass index ( BMI ) < 27 kg/m2 and thirty age and sex matched healthy controls were evaluated for blood glucose , blood pressure and lipid profile and oxidative stress was assessed in them by measuring lipid peroxides ( LP ) , diene conjugates ( DC ) and reduced glutathione ( RG ) in the serum .  Of the 65 , 40 motivated patients were r and omly divided into two groups -- group 1 comprising of fifteen patients prescribed a diabetic diet along with a placebo and group 2 consisting of twenty-five patients on the same diet with the addition of 0.6 g omega-3 fatty acids as one capsule Maxigard ( containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid ) twice daily . All parameters were reassessed after six weeks . RESULTS The levels of lipid peroxides ( micromol/L ) , diene conjugates ( OD units ) and reduced glutathione ( mmol GSH/L ) were significantly altered indicating increased oxidative stress in the diabetics compared to the healthy controls : 4.106 + /- 0.889 , 2.751 + /- 0.424 , 1.344 + /- 0.316 and 1.91 + /- 0.541 , 1.735 + /- 0.315 , 1.919 + /- 0.310 , respectively ( p < 0.001 for all the three ) . Patients in group 1 and 2 were comparable in all respects including oxidative stress at the start of therapy . After six weeks , on comparing the mean % changes in the three parameters of oxidative stress between the two groups , it was seen that the % change was significantly higher in group 2 ( Maxigard group ) compared to group 1 ( Placebo ; 5.22 + /- 1.056 ( p = 0.05 ) , 3.28 + /- 0.608 ( p = 0.01 ) , 5.27 + /- 0.585 ( p < 0.001 ) and 0.82 + /- 0.123 , 0.18 + /- 0.017 , 0.56 + /- 0.035 ( p < 0.001 ) , respectively . The patients in group 2 also exhibited significantly greater improvement in glycemic status , blood pressure and lipid profiles . CONCLUSIONS The present study documented the existence of a state of increased oxidative stress in type 2 diabetics . Significant beneficial effects of low dose omega-3 fatty acids substitution for PUFA-6 were observed not only on oxidative stress parameters but also on blood pressure and metabolic profile
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 .