Dose-dependent increases in heart rate variability and arterial compliance in overweight and obese adults with DHA-rich fish oil supplementation.
Heart rate (HR) variability and large arterial compliance can be improved using fish oils. DHA, a component of fish oil, has cardiovascular health benefits, but its effect on HR variability (HRV) and arterial compliance is yet to be quantified. Sixty-seven overweight or obese adults (thirty-six males and thirty-one females; 53 (sem 2) year; BMI 31.7 (sem 1.1) kg/m(2)) were randomly allocated to consume either 6 g/d sunola oil (control; n 17), fish oil (260 mg DHA+60 mg EPA per g) at doses of 2 g/d (n 16), 4 g/d (n 17) or 6 g/d (n 17). Blood pressure, HR and compliance of large and small arteries were measured while supine at baseline and after 12 weeks in all participants, and HRV was assessed in a subgroup of forty-six participants. There was no effect of fish oil on blood pressure, small artery compliance or HR. However, the low frequency:high frequency ratio of HRV decreased with increasing doses of fish oil (r - 0.34, P = 0.02), while large artery compliance increased (r 0.34, P = 0.006). Moreover, the changes in these biomarkers were significantly correlated (r - 0.31, P = 0.04) and may reflect fish oil-induced improvements in arterial function and cardiac autonomic regulation.
Sjoberg
Nicholas J
NJ
School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
Milte
Catherine M
CM
Buckley
Jonathan D
JD
Howe
Peter R C
PR
Coates
Alison M
AM
Saint
David A
DA
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018579:Patient Selection
D005395:Fish Oils