Combined supplementation with EPA-rich fish oil and phytosterols improve plasma lipid profile and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in individuals with hyperlipidemia

Abstract

The treatment of hyperlipidemia, particularly reducing LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentration, is established as an efficacious means of reducing both morbidity and mortality from CVD. Dietary supplementation with phytosterols is known to reduce LDL-cholesterol, whilst omega-3 PUFA are hypotriglyceridemic and have immuno-modulatory properties. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of combined supplementation with EPA-rich fish oil and phytosterols on cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with combined hyperlipidemia. Fifty-eight healthy hyperlipidemic adults, were randomly assigned to consume 3 x 1 g EPA-rich (550 mg 20:5n-3 and 120 mg 22:6n-3) fish oil capsules daily or 3 x 1 g placebo (sunola oil) capsules daily, either alone or in combination with 25 g phytosterolenriched spread (2 g phytosterols) daily for 3 weeks. Blood pressure, plasma lipid profile, plasma fatty acids and inflammatory status were analysed. Phytosterol supplementation significantly reduced total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (-8.0 % and -7.5 %, P < 0.01), whilst fish oil supplementation significantly improved triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol (-8.5%, P < 0.05; +6.5 %, P < 0.01). Total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol were significantly improved (-9.5 %, P < 0.01; -7.5 %, P < 0.01; -22.2 %, P < 0.01; +7.1 %, P < 0.01) following the combined dietary supplementation. CRP concentration was reduced by 11 % (P = 0.02) in the combination group. In conclusion, the combined supplementation of EPA-rich fish oil capsules and a phytosterol-enriched spread provide cardiovascular health benefits, by way of optimising plasma lipid profile and improving inflammatory status in individuals with combined hyperlipidemia