title: Testing the acceptability of liquid fish oil in older adults.
abstract: Inflammatory conditions likely to benefit from fish oil therapy are prevalent in older adults however acceptability in this group is uncertain. This study aimed to assess the palatability of a range of liquid fish oil concentrations, the frequency and extent of side effects, and to summarise any effects on adherence to fish oil therapy in older adults. One hundred patients (>=60 years) completed a randomised, single-blind palatability study, conducted in two parts. In part one, 50 subjects, blinded to random sample order, consumed multiple liquid fish oil samples (2x10%, 40% and 100%). In part two, 50 subjects tasted one concentration, or 100% extra light olive oil (control). Pleasantness of taste was scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Side effects were recorded 24-hr post-tasting. Results of part one showed that 9/50 participants reported increasingly unpleasant taste with increasing fish oil concentration. 14/50 reported unpleasant taste for 100% fish oil vs 7/50 for 10%. 14/50 reported side effects which would not affect compliance with therapy. For part two, 1/12 reported unpleasant taste for 100% vs 0/13 for 10% fish oil or control. 4/50 reported side effects and 2/4 indicated these would prevent ongoing fish oil therapy. The authors conclude that taste itself is not a deterrent to fish oil therapy. Furthermore, reported adverse effects may not be a true reaction to fish oil, or dissuade patients from compliance. Liquid fish oil supplements are acceptable to older adults, therefore should be investigated as a therapy for geriatric conditions.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Dietetics, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Flinders University GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaxley
authors.forename: Michelle D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cobiac
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crotty
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D005395:Fish Oils; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils