n-3 Fatty acids plus oleic acid and vitamin supplemented milk consumption reduces total and LDL cholesterol, homocysteine and levels of endothelial adhesion molecules in healthy humans.
OBJECTIVE
Numerous studies suggest n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n -3 PUFA) and oleic acid intake have beneficial effects on health including risk reduction of coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available skimmed milk supplemented with n -3 PUFA, oleic acid, and vitamins E, B(6), and folic acid (Puleva Omega3) on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. (CVD).


METHODS
Thirty volunteers were given 500 ml/day of semi-skimmed milk for 4 weeks and then 500 ml/day of the n -3 enriched milk for 8 further weeks. Plasma and LDL lipoproteins were obtained from volunteers at the beginning of the study (T(pre)), and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks.


RESULTS
The consumption of n -3 enriched milk produced a significant decrease in plasma concentration of total and LDL cholesterol accompanied by a reduction in plasma levels of homocysteine. Plasma and LDL oxidability and vitamin E concentration remained unchanged throughout the study. A significant reduction in plasma levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and an increase in plasma concentration of folic acid were also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily intake of n -3 PUFA and oleic acid supplemented skimmed milk plus folic acid and B-type vitamins has favourable effects on risk factors for CVD.
Baró
L
L
Puleva Biotech S.A. 66, Camino de Purchil, Granada 18004, Spain.
Fonollá
J
J
Peña
J L
JL
Martínez-Férez
A
A
Lucena
A
A
Jiménez
J
J
Boza
J J
JJ
López-Huertas
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012307:Risk Factors; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000975:Antioxidants; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D006710:Homocysteine; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D014810:Vitamin E; D019301:Oleic Acid; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol