Omega-3 fatty acid supplements improve the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, including markers of inflammation and auto-immunity

Abstract

Objective — Fish-oil contains high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.We have evaluated the effects of purified omega-3 fatty acid supplements on several anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 antibody titres in subjects with metabolic syndrome.Methods — Subjects (n=120) with metabolic syndrome (mean age of 52.9± 11.9years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups: sixty subjects were given 1gram of fish oil as a single capsule, containing 180mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120mg docosahexaenoic acid daily for 6months. Control subjects did not receive any supplementation over the same period.Results — The study was completed by 47subjects in the intervention group and 42subjects in the control group.Treatment with omega 3supplements was associated with a significant fall in body weight (P<0.05), systolic blood pressures (P<0.05), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.05), and total cholesterol (P<0.05), triglycerides (P<0.05), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P<0.01), and Hsp27 antibody titres (P<0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group.Conclusion — It appears that omega 3 improves the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, having effects on weight, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile and markers of inflammation and autoimmunity.