DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID-RICH FISH-OIL DOES NOT AFFECT SERUM-LIPID CONCENTRATIONS OF NORMOLIPIDEMIC YOUNG-ADULTS

Fish oils, purified eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DH A) have been reported to improve blood lipid concentrations, especiall y those of triglycerides in humans. However, to our knowledge there ha ve been no double-blind studies investigating the effects of DHA-rich fish oil on blood lipid concentrations. Therefore, we conducted a plac ebo-controlled double-blind study. Twenty-four healthy, normolipidemic young adults took either DHA-rich fish oil capsules containing 1.5-1. 8 g of DHA or control oil capsules containing 97% soybean oil and 3% f ish oil for 13 wk. Blood samples were taken at the start and end of th e study, and serum lipids concentrations were compared. There were no significant changes over time in the DHA group in the following serum lipids: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycer ides, lipoprotein(a), and apolipoproteins Al and B. In contrast, apoli poprotein Al concentrations slightly (10%) but significantly increased over time in the control group. Docosahexaenoic acid at a dose of les s than 2 g/d did not change serum lipid concentrations of normolipidem ic subjects. The effects of DHA in hyperlipidemic patients remain to b e investigated in a double-blind study.