Docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil does not affect serum lipid concentrations of normolipidemic young adults

Abstract

Fish oils, purified eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been reported to improve blood lipid concentrations, especially those of triglycerides in humans. However, to our knowledge there have been no double- blind studies investigating the effects of DHA-rich fish oil on blood lipid concentrations. Therefore, we conducted a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Twenty-four healthy, normolipidemic young adults took either DHA-rich fish oil capsules containing 1.5-1.8 g of DHA or control oil capsules containing 97% soybean oil and 3% fish oil for 13 wk. Blood samples were taken at the start and end of the study, and serum lipids concentrations were compared. There were no significant changes over time in the DHA group in the following serum lipids: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), and apolipoproteins A1 and B. In contrast, apolipoprotein A1 concentrations slightly (10%) but significantly increased over time in the control group. Docosahexaenoic acid at a dose of less than 2 g/d did not change serum lipid concentrations of normolipidemic subjects. The effects of DHA in hyperlipidemic patients remain to be investigated in a double-blind study.