n-3 fatty acids of marine origin lower systolic blood pressure and triglycerides but raise LDL cholesterol compared with n-3 and n-6 fatty acids from plants.
We compared the cardiovascular risk-reduction potential of three major polyunsaturated fatty acids in a double-blind study. Thirty-three normotensive and mildly hypercholesterolemic men were randomly allocated to one of three diets supplemented with linoleic acid (14.3 g/d), alpha-linolenic acid (9.2 g/d), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (3.4 g/d). Diets were matched to provide similar amounts of the major classes of fatty acids and cholesterol. Blood pressure and plasma lipids were measured for 6 wk after a 3-wk run-in period on the linoleic acid supplement. For the diet supplemented with EPA plus DHA compared with the linoleic acid diet systolic blood pressure fell 5.1 mm Hg (p = 0.01); plasma triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol fell by 39% (p = 0.001) and 49% (p = 0.01), respectively; and LDL cholesterol rose by 9% (p = 0.01). There were no significant changes with the diet supplemented with alpha-linolenic acid. The net effect on cardiovascular risk therefore is complex and the systolic blood pressure reduction was substantial.
Kestin
M
M
CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition, Adelaide, South Australia.
Clifton
P
P
Belling
G B
GB
Nestel
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid