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 .
Conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in young women.
The extent to which women of reproductive age are able to convert the n-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid ( ALNA ) to eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) , docosapentaenoic acid ( DPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) was investigated in vivo by measuring the concentrations of labelled fatty acids in plasma for 21 d following the ingestion of [U-13C]ALNA ( 700 mg ) . [13C]ALNA excursion was greatest in cholesteryl ester ( CE ) ( 224 ( sem 70 ) micromol/l over 21 d ) compared with triacylglycerol ( 9-fold ) , non-esterified fatty acids ( 37-fold ) and phosphatidylcholine ( PC , 7-fold ) . EPA excursion was similar in both PC ( 42 ( sem 8) micromol/l ) and CE ( 42 ( sem 9 ) micromol/l ) over 21 d. In contrast both [13C]DPA and [13C]DHA were detected predominately in PC ( 18 ( sem 4 ) and 27 ( sem 7 ) micromol/l over 21 d , respectively ) . Estimated net fractional ALNA inter-conversion was EPA 21 % , DPA 6 % and DHA 9 % . Approximately 22 % of administered [13C]ALNA was recovered as 13CO2 on breath over the first 24 h of the study . These results suggest differential partitioning of ALNA , EPA and DHA between plasma lipid classes , which may facilitate targeting of individual n-3 fatty acids to specific tissues . Comparison with previous studies suggests that women may possess a greater capacity for ALNA conversion than men . Such metabolic capacity may be important for meeting the dem and s of the fetus and neonate for DHA during pregnancy and lactation . Differences in DHA status between women both in the non-pregnant state and in pregnancy may reflect variations in metabolic capacity for DHA synthesis
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 .