EFFECTS OF VARYING DIETARY-FAT, FISH, AND FISH OILS ON BLOOD-LIPIDS IN A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL IN MEN AT RISK OF HEART-DISEASE

This study aimed to determine the effects of incorporating fish with 4 0%- or 30%-fat diets and the differences in response to fish or fish o il omega 3 Men with high-normal blood pressure and elevated serum chol esterol were randomly allocated to one of seven diets for 12 wk. Fish or fish oil with a 40%-fat diet increased total cholesterol, HDL chole sterol, HDL(2) cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, and reduced triglycer ides. The 30%-fat diet alone reduced cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, with triglycerides unchanged. Fish with the 30%-fat diet reduced cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and incre ased HDL(2) cholesterol. This study has shown that plasma lipids are a ffected similarly by fish or fish oil in men consuming a 40%-fat diet. Adverse effects of omega 3 on total and LDL cholesterol are reversed by a 30%-fat diet, whereas one daily fish meal substantially lowers tr iglycerides and reverses the fall in HDL cholesterol that is usual wit h a low-fat diet.