Two Weeks of Low Dose Fish Oil Supplementation Followed By A Single Bout of Exercise Increases High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in College-Aged and Middle-Aged Men

Rachael M Thomas,Edward Meadors

doi:10.4172/2155-9600.1000221

Abstract

There is a significant inverse relationship between high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and cardiovascular events. Previous studies have reported increased HDL-C in response to 4 weeks of pharmacological doses of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) (3-5g/day). Our hypothesis was that a low dose of n-3 FA (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid), one achievable in the diet, ingested in the form of one fish oil capsule three times per day by college-aged and middle-aged men, over a short period of 2 weeks, preceded and followed by a single bout of exercise, would increase HDL-C levels. We determined serum lipid profile (triglyceride, VLDL-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, total cholesterol) in response to a single bout of exercise (60 min, 55-60% HRmax) after consuming a low dose of 0.9 g n-3 FA/day for 14 days in eight middle-aged men (age 48.9 ± 1.4) and seven college-aged men (age 21 ± 2.5). There were no significant changes with blood lipids except in HDL-C. In middle-aged and college-aged men HDL-C significantly increased (P<0.005). The college-aged men’s TC/HDL-C ratio significantly increased (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that two weeks of ingesting dietary achievable doses of n-3 FA followed by a single bout of exercise increase HDL-C, which is associated with a decreased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).

Highlights

According to scientific literature, fish and fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) are considered beneficial in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Reduction of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) leads to reduced formation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), a major risk factor for CHD [10]
Our research hypothesis was accepted, that two weeks of n-3 FA supplementation at a dose of 0.9 g/d, which is achievable in the diet, coupled with exercise, can beneficially alter lipids and lipoproteins in the plasma, by increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

Summary

Introduction

Fish and fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) are considered beneficial in the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Reduction of VLDL-C leads to reduced formation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), a major risk factor for CHD [10]. High doses of n-3 FA increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which is inversely related to incidence of CHD [11]. This effect is significant, beneficial, yet small [8,9]. The results of a study of 6928 people (age 55 ± 12) over a 12 year period identified low HDL-C level as the third best indicator for a major coronary event behind prior coronary events (1st) and age (2nd) [12]. Results from the National Health Examination Survey 2009-10 indicate that 31% of men had low levels of HDL-C [13]

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