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(Continued
from page 2)
CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS
IN NON-HIV POPULATION
The cardiovascular benefits
of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet can be detected back to early Eskimo
studies showing that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and a balance in
the omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio decreased the incidence for CHD. (34)
The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial also confirmed this by showing
an inverse association with fish intake and CHD mortality. (35) In the
Diet and Reinfarction Trial (DART), men with a past history of MI increased
oily fish intake to 200-400 gm per week to increase EPA and DHA intake,
which resulted in a decrease in total mortality. (36)
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The effectiveness of EPA
and DHA are primarily associated with a decrease in serum triglycerides,
however, a slight decrease in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol
and some increases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol have been seen. (10-12) Harris reviewed human studies
using marine omega-3 fatty acids in which he evaluated 36 crossover studies
and 29 parallel studies. (10) Based upon these reviews, it is concluded
that no effect on total cholesterol is seen; primary effects were on serum
triglycerides, decreasing them by 25-30%. (10)
Editors note: VLDL
contains relatively large amounts of triglycerides compared to protein
and leaves a residue of cholesterol in the tissues during the process of
conversion to LDL. It is believed to be one of the most atherogenic types
of lipoproteins.
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