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 .
Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish oils: differential associations with lipid responses.
Fish-oil supplementation can reduce circulating triacylglycerol ( TG ) levels and cardiovascular risk . This study aim ed to assess independent associations between changes in platelet eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) and fasting and postpr and ial ( PP ) lipoprotein concentrations and LDL oxidation status , following fish-oil intervention .  Fifty-five mildly hypertriacylglycerolaemic ( TG 1.5 - 4.0 mmol/l ) men completed a double-blind placebo controlled cross over study , where individuals consumed 6 g fish oil ( 3 g EPA+DHA ) or 6 g olive oil (placebo)/d for two 6-week intervention periods , with a 12-week wash-out period in between . Fish-oil intervention result ed in a significant increase in the platelet phospholipid EPA ( + 491 % , P<0.001 ) and DHA ( + 44 % , P<0.001 ) content and a significant decrease in the arachidonic acid ( -10 % , P<0.001 ) and gamma-linolenic acid ( -24 % , P<0.001 ) levels . A 30 % increase in ex vivo LDL oxidation ( P<0.001 ) was observed . In addition , fish oil result ed in a significant decrease in fasting and PP TG levels ( P<0.001 ) , PP non-esterified fatty acid ( NEFA ) levels , and in the percentage LDL as LDL-3 ( P=0.040 ) , and an increase in LDL-cholesterol ( P=0.027 ) . In multivariate analysis , changes in platelet phospholipid DHA emerged as being independently associated with the rise in LDL-cholesterol , accounting for 16 % of the variability in this outcome measure ( P=0.030 ) . In contrast , increases in platelet EPA were independently associated with the reductions in fasting ( P=0.046 ) and PP TG ( P=0.023 ) , and PP NEFA ( P=0.015 ) , explaining 15 - 20 % and 25 % of the variability in response respectively . Increases in platelet EPA+DHA were independently and positively associated with the increase in LDL oxidation ( P=0.011 ) . EPA and DHA may have differential effects on plasma lipids in mildly hypertriacylglycerolaemic men
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 .