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 Fish Oil Supplements in NIDDM Subjects: Controlled Study
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a fish oil preparation ( MaxEPA ) on hemostatic function and fasting lipid and glucose levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetic ( NIDDM ) subjects . Eighty NIDDM out patients aged 55.9 yr ( mean SD 11.5 yr ) participated in a prospect i ve double-blind placebo-controlled study of MaxEPA capsules ( 10 g/day ) or olive oil ( control ) treatment over 6 wk . Patients received either MaxEPA or olive oil in addition to preexisting therapy .  Metabolic and hemostatic variables were measured before treatment and after 3 and 6 wk . Platelet membrane eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) content increased in the treatment group ( P < 0.001 ) . MaxEPA supplementation was associated with a significant fall in total triglycerides ( P < 0.001 ) but did not affect total cholesterol ( P = 0.7 ) compared with control treatment . Fasting plasma glucose increased after 3 wk ( P = 0.01 ) but not after 6 wk ( P = 0.17 ) treatment with MaxEPA .  Spontaneous platelet aggregation in whole blood fell in the MaxEPA group ( P < 0.02 ) after 6 wk , but there were no changes in agonist-induced platelet aggregation , thromboxane generation in platelet-rich plasma , or plasma P-thromboglobulin and platelet factor IV levels . An increase in clotting factor VII ( P = 0.02 ) , without changes in fibrinogen or factor X levels , occurred in the MaxEPA group . Similar reductions in blood pressure were observed in both groups . Dietary supplementation with MaxEPA capsules ( 10 g/day ) in NIDDM subjects is associated with improvement in hypertriglyceridemia but with deleterious effects in factor VII and blood glucose levels . Most indices of platelet function are unaffected by this therapy
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 .