Effects of Fish Oil Capsules in Two Dosages on Blood Pressure, Platelet Functions, Haemorheological and Clinical Chemistry Parameters in Apparently Healthy Subjects

Abstract

The effects of a fish oil concentrate with an omega-3 fatty acid content of 42% was determined in two dosages in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a parallel group comparison over a period of 5 weeks with 30 healthy subjects. The daily intake chosen was four and eight capsules corresponding to 1.26 or 2.52 g omega-3 fatty acids. Plasma viscosity, erythrocyte rigidity and systolic blood pressure were significantly decreased (p less than 0.01) after a 5-week administration of 2.52 g omega-3 fatty acid daily. The reduction in vitamin E concentration was significant (p less than 0.01) only in the low-dose fish oil group. Lipids and lipoproteins remained unchanged throughout this experiment.