Modulation of Atherosclerotic Risk Factors by Seal Oil: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe examined whether dietary supplementation with seal oil influenced the risk factors of atherosclerosis in healthy volunteers. Two intervention studies were carried out as preliminary steps in a larger project which aim at elucidating the disease preventive potential of seal oil. In study 1 ten healthy volunteers added 10 capsules of seal oil to their normal Western diet for six weeks. Blood tests were analysed for total-, HDL-, and LDL-cholesterol and plasma triglyceride, and the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acid was determined in plasma and erythrocyte membranes. In study II we examined die effect in five healthy volunteers who had only 5 capsules of seal oil daily for six weeks. As an additional test in study II, the effect on the proinflammatory TNF-α cytokine in lymphocytes was determined. A sleightly decreased, however, not significant effect was observed for each of the cholesterol's after seal oil supplementation. In both studies plasma triglyceride, and the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio of plasma and erythrocytes were significantly reduced upon seal oil intake. During the intervention period of study II a distinct reduced level of TNF-α was observed in isolated lymphocytes. The examinations suggest that supplementation of seal oil, 10 capsules or 5 capsules/day, may have beneficial effects on factors thought to be associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic diseases. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2001:60: 25-33)