These results provide evidence that olive oil might exert beneficial effects on endothelial function as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function , thus representing a key ingredient contributing to the cardiovascular-protective effects of a Mediterranean diet .
The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize data from r and omized controlled trials investigating the effects of olive oil on markers of inflammation or endothelial function .
Effect of low doses of long-chain n-3 PUFAs on endothelial function and arterial stiffness: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND The dietary intake of n-3 ( omega-3 ) long-chain PUFAs ( LC-PUFAs ) from fish may improve  endothelial function and arterial stiffness .  OBJECTIVE The objective was to test the hypothesis that increasing intakes of n-3 LC-PUFAs-equivalent to the consumption of 1 , 2 , or 4 portions of oily fish per week-favorably affects endothelial function and arterial stiffness . DESIGN A parallel- design , r and omized , double-blind study compared daily doses of 0.45 , 0.9 , and 1.8 g n-3 LC-PUFAs ( EPA : DHA ratio of 1.51:1 ) with placebo ( refined olive oil ) . The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in flow-mediated dilatation ( FMD ) of the brachial artery , arterial stiffness , and blood pressure .  Nonsmoking men ( n = 142 ) and women ( n = 225 ) aged 45 - 70 y were r and omly assigned to treatment for 12 mo ; 312 subjects completed the intervention . RESULTS Compliance with the intervention was corroborated by significant dose-dependent increases in the proportions of EPA and DHA in erythrocyte lipids and a 16.5 % reduction in serum triacylglycerol concentrations with 1.8 g n-3 LC-PUFAs/d . FMD was lower in men than in women ( P < 0.0001 ) and decreased with age ( ρ = 0.270 , P < 0.001 ) but was not significantly ( P = 0.781 ) related to n-3 LC-PUFA intake . The mean changes in FMD ( 95 % CIs ) compared with placebo were 0.1 % ( -0.9 % , 1.1 % ) , -0.3 % ( -1.3 % , 0.6 % ) , and -0.3 % ( -1.3 % , 0.7 % ) with daily intakes of 0.45 , 0.9 , and 1.8 g n-3 LC-PUFAs , respectively . No significant treatment effects were noted for arterial stiffness and central mean or 24-h ambulatory blood pressure . CONCLUSION Intakes of n-3 LC-PUFAs ≤1.8 g/d do not improve endothelial function in healthy adults . The trial is registered at controlled-trials.com as IS RCT N66664610
These results provide evidence that olive oil might exert beneficial effects on endothelial function as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function , thus representing a key ingredient contributing to the cardiovascular-protective effects of a Mediterranean diet .
The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize data from r and omized controlled trials investigating the effects of olive oil on markers of inflammation or endothelial function .