Effects of a fish oil supplement on serum lipids, blood pressure, bleeding time, haemostatic and rheological variables: A double blind randomised controlled trial in healthy volunteers

doi:10.1016/0021-9150(87)90113-4

Atherosclerosis

Volume 63, Issues 2–3, February 1987, Pages 137-143

https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9150(87)90113-4 Get rights and content

Abstract

Sixty male volunteers were randomised to take 10–16 ml of a fish oil supplement (MaxEPA) or 10–16 ml of olive oil for a period of 3–6 weeks. A fall in serum triglyceride of 54% (P < 0.01) and a fall in diastolic blood pressure of 7% (P < 0.05) was attributable to taking fish oil supplements. The bleeding time was prolonged by 12%, but this did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance. A global test of heparin-neutralising activity, the heparin thrombin clotting time, increased by 14% (P = 0.05) but there was no demonstrable effect on thrombin time, fibrinogen or (intraplatelet) platelet factor 4. A fall in red cell pore transit time of 23% was attributable to fish oil, but was not statistically significant. There was no convincing evidence of an effect of fish oil supplementation on total serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, blood counts or platelet aggregation.

A beneficial effect of fish oil on the cardiovascular risk profile was confirmed in this study. However, with this regime changes in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and platelet aggregation are of unlikely clinical importance.

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^☆: This work was supported by a grant from Seven Seas Health Care Ltd., Hull.

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Research paperEffects of a fish oil supplement on serum lipids, blood pressure, bleeding time, haemostatic and rheological variables: A double blind randomised controlled trial in healthy volunteers☆

Abstract

Amer. J. Clin. Nutr.

Amer. J. Clin. Nutr.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

Lancet

Lancet

Lancet

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

Lancet

Lancet

Lancet

Lancet

Lancet

Thromb. Res.

Lancet

Effect of a marine oil high in EPA on blood lipids and coagulation

IRCS Med. Sci.

Effect on blood lipids and haemostasis of a supplement of cod liver oil rich in EPA and DHA in healthy young men

Clin. Sci.

The influence of different types of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood lipids and platelet function in healthy volunteers

Clin. Sci.

Reduction of plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins by dietary fish oils in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia

N. Engl. J. Med.

The effect of N.6 and N.3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on haemostatis, blood lipids and blood pressure

Thromb. Haemost.

Advantages and disadvantages of an Eskimo diet

Platelet membrane fatty acids, platelet aggregation and thromboxane formation during a mackerel diet

Lancet

Research paper
Effects of a fish oil supplement on serum lipids, blood pressure, bleeding time, haemostatic and rheological variables: A double blind randomised controlled trial in healthy volunteers☆