Clinical Trial: Efficacy Study Regarding the Beneficial Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiometabolic Health

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Genes Interact to Influence Cardiometabolic Health.

Brief Summary: Fish oil supplements (which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids) have been shown to provide cardiometabolic benefits to individuals of all ages. Specifically, the daily consumption of fish oil supplements has been reported to reduce blood triglyceride levels, and influence glucose homeostasis and whole-body inflammation. However, recent evidence highlights important gaps in our understanding with respect to the impact of fish oil supplements on health; specifically, not everyone responds to these supplements in the same manner. The goal of this research is to explore how an individual's genetic make-up may modify their response to fish oil supplements.

Detailed Summary:

The typical Western diet is now recognized to have insufficient amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (in particular EPA and DHA). These fatty acids have several known health benefits, including improvements in heart health, metabolic syndrome, and inflammation. These benefits occur because omega-3 fatty acids can regulate a myriad of cellular functions. In order to increase the levels of these omega-3 fatty acids in the body, individuals must either consume more marine products or take an omega-3 rich dietary supplement, such as fish oil. While fish oil supplements are commonly consumed by people, it is now recognized that not everyone responds to these supplements in the same manner. Therefore this study aims to improve our understanding of why people respond differently to the same dietary supplement. The goals of this research will be accomplished using a number of approaches:

  1. The investigators will examine how fish oil supplementation leads to an enrichment of EPA and DHA in various cells throughout the body (erythrocytes, adipose tissue, etc).
  2. The investigators will determine the dynamic changes in EPA and DHA incorporation into different cell-types during distinct phases of our dietary intervention study (e.g. during supplementation and subsequent wash out periods).
  3. The investigators will study how fish oil supplements influence various blood markers of cardiometabolic health (e.g. triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, C-reactive protein, etc) and whether this is modulated by an individual's genotype.

Sponsor: University of Guelph

Current Primary Outcome: Blood Triglyceride [ Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 5 months ]

Blood triglycerides were measured at distinct time points: baseline, after 3 months supplementation, and after a 2 month wash out period.


Original Primary Outcome: Blood lipids [ Time Frame: 5 months ]

Blood lipids (e.g. triglycerides and cholesterol) and fatty acids measured at distinct time points: baseline, after 3 months supplementation, and after a 2 month wash out period.


Current Secondary Outcome: Blood Glucose [ Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, 5 months ]

Blood glucose levels measured at distinct time points: baseline, after 3 months supplementation, and after a 2 month wash out period.


Original Secondary Outcome: Blood glucose and insulin [ Time Frame: 5 months ]

Blood glucose and insulin levels measured at distinct time points: baseline, after 3 months supplementation, and after a 2 month wash out period.


Information By: University of Guelph

Dates:
Date Received: January 20, 2014
Date Started: October 2012
Date Completion:
Last Updated: February 17, 2017
Last Verified: February 2017