The effects of low dose n-3 fatty acids on serum lipid profiles and insulin resistance of the elderly: a randomized controlled clinical trial

• Published in: International journal for vitamin and nutrition research Vol. 80; no. 2; p. 107
• Main Authors: Fakhrzadeh, Hossein, Ghaderpanahi, Maryam, Sharifi, Farshad, Mirarefin, Mojde, Badamchizade, Zohre, Kamrani, Ahmad-Ali Akbari, Larijani, Bagher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Aged; Apolipoproteins B - blood; Apolipoproteins B - drug effects; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Cohort Studies; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology; Female; Fish Oils - pharmacology; Follow-Up Studies; Geriatric Assessment - methods; Geriatric Assessment - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Insulin - blood; Insulin Resistance; Iran; Lipase - blood; Lipase - drug effects; Lipids - blood; Lipoprotein(a) - blood; Lipoprotein(a) - drug effects; Male; Iran
• ISSN: 0300-9831
• DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000011

N-3 fatty acids have several beneficial effects on dyslipidemia and diabetes, conditions which are prevalent in the elderly. This study assessed the effects of low-dose n-3 fatty acids on serum lipid profile, lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein B, fasting glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance in a group of elderly Iranians. A 6-month randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 124 elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation aged >or= 65. The intervention group was supplemented with 1 g/day fish oil capsule (with 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid, DHA; a total of 300 mg n-3 fatty acids as effective constituents). Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months of the trial. There were no significant effects of fish oil on the studied variables in the intervention group. In the placebo group, serum triglyceride significantly increased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.009, respectively). By repeated measurement analysis after adjustments, the overall decrease in serum triglycerides compared with placebo was significant (p = 0.04). Supplementation with low dose n-3 fatty acids for 6 months could significantly protect elderly Iranians from a rise in serum triglycerides.