The effect of various intakes of ω3 fatty acids on the blood lipid composition in healthy human subjects

Abstract

In a study with 52 healthy volunteers, the effect of different amounts of ω3 fatty acids on the blood lipid composition was investigated. Doses of 1.4, 2.3, 4.1, and 8.2 g of ω3 fatty acids were administered to these subjects daily over a period of 4 wk. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total triglycerides, and glucose were determined in blood serum and hemoglobin in whole blood in all individuals before, during, and after the intake of ω3 fatty acids. In pooled serum samples, the lipoprotein composition and the fatty acid composition of blood lipids were determined. All dosages caused a shift in the fatty acid composition of blood serum lipids in favor of ω3 fatty acids and at the expense of ω6 and/or ω9 acids. In the sterol esters, only the percentage of C20:5ω3 increased. Maximum shifts depended on the amount of ω3 acids ingested and were evident within 1 to 2 wk. Two wk after the last ingestion of ω3 acids, the fatty acid composition of blood serum lipids had returned to the original state. In the groups receiving 8.2 of ω3 fatty acids, there was a significant decrease in serum triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein levels, which is in accord with earlier observations. In the other parameters, including cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, no decrease or increase was observed.