Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Hypercholesterolemia patients (on statin drugs), who supplemented with 4 grams of omega 3 per day for 8 weeks, saw significant improvements in large artery elasticity, and decreased blood pressure, triglycerides, and apB concentration.

blood lipidsFamilial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder that results in high LDL-cholesterol and early heart disease 1,2. It is thought that the increased risk of heart disease in this population may be due to alterations in the artery walls that make them stiffer and less elastic 1,3. Recent research found that supplementing with high doses of omega-3 fish oil improves cholesterol levels, blood pressure and arterial elasticity 1.

The recent research included 22 participants with familial hypercholesterolemia (defined by genetic testing or the Dutch Lipid Clinic network criteria score >8). All participants were on statin (or statin plus ezetimibe) drugs. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group that received no treatment or the omega-3 fatty acid group (n=11). The omega-3 group took 4 grams omega-3s per day for 8 weeks, followed by an 8-week washout period of taking nothing, and then the participants switched groups 1.

Overall, omega-3 supplementation significantly (P<0.05 in all):

  • Increased large artery elasticity by 9% (+ 1.53 +/- 0.45 mL/mmHg X10)
  • Reduced systolic blood pressure by 6% (-7.7 +/- 2.6 mmHg)
  • Reduced diastolic blood pressure by 6% (-4.2 +/- 1.4 mmHg)
  • Reduced triglycerides by 20% (-0.26 +/- 0.01 mmol/L)
  • Reduced apoB concentration* by 8% (-0.08 +/- 0.03 g/L)

There was no significant change observed in small artery elasticity. The improvement in large artery elasticity was mostly seen in the participants with lower baseline elasticity levels compared to those with higher (4% vs. 14%, P<0.05) 1.

In conclusion, high dose supplementation of omega-3 fish oil improved triglyceride levels, lowered blood pressure and improved large artery elasticity. A limitation of the study was the small population size, therefore the research should be repeated in a larger group. Researchers of the study recommend addition of omega-3s to patients with familial hypercholesterolemia 1.

*ApoB concentration is a measure of the risk for cardiovascular disease. Persons with familial hypercholesterolemia have a mutation in the apoB gene code resulting in higher concentrations of “bad cholesterol” (very low density lipoprotein, intermediate lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein) 4.

Source:  Chan DC, et al. (2016) Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Arterial Elasticity in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia on Statin Therapy. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease. Doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2016.07.012

Posted October 18, 2016.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health.  She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at  www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Chan DC, Pang J, Barrett PH, et al. Effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on arterial elasticity in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia on statin therapy. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD. 2016;26(12):1140-1145.
  2. Austin MA, Hutter CM, Zimmern RL, Humphries SE. Familial hypercholesterolemia and coronary heart disease: a HuGE association review. Am J Epidemiol. 2004;160(5):421-429.
  3. Duprez DA, De Buyzere MM, De Bruyne L, Clement DL, Cohn JN. Small and large artery elasticity indices in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Vascular medicine (London, England). 2001;6(4):211-214.
  4. Medscape. Apolipoprotein B. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2087335-overview