title: Dietary supplementation with long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and weight loss in obese adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is associated with elevated levels of inflammation and metabolic abnormalities, with increased risk of developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, stroke and CVD. Nutrients that can assist in weight loss may also reduce the risk of obesity related co-morbidities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether LCn-3PUFA, combined with a reduced energy diet, facilitated weight loss and improvements in blood lipids and inflammatory mediators.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double blind randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups. Both groups followed a low energy diet for 12 weeks, one group consumed 6 × 1 g capsules/d monounsaturated oil (Placebo) (n = 18), the other 6 × 1 g capsules/d LCn-3PUFA (fish oil) (n = 17). Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements and 3-day food diaries were collected at baseline and post intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a two-fold increase in plasma levels of EPA and DHA in the fish oil group (p < 0.001). There were no significant difference within and between the placebo and the fish oil groups for weight reduction (3.37% and 4.35% respectively), fat mass reduction (8.95% and 9.76% respectively), or changes in inflammatory biomarkers and blood lipids apart from triglycerides, reduced by 27% in fish oil group (p < 0.05). For fish oil group there were significant correlations between leptin and weight loss (p = 0.01) and leptin and EPA and DHA (p < 0.05 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary LCn-3PUFA supplementation during a weight loss program does not appear to assist weight loss. Poor dietary compliance may be a contributing factor in accurate assessment of the role of these fatty acids in weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Nutraceuticals Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
authors.forename: Irene A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: Manohar L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Garg
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000379:methods; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017211:Treatment Failure; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids