Omega-3 Fats Benefit Blood Vessel Health in Those with Metabolic Syndrome

by | Jan 27, 2016 | Metabolic Syndrome, Omega - 3

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In a placebo-controlled crossover trial, 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids produced a 100% decrease in inflammatory proteins and 110% improvement in venous blood flow.

Metabolic Syndrome (Met S) affects over 47 million Americans. It is characterized by a number of risk factors that include central obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen), increased blood pressure (130/85 mmHg or higher), and insulin resistance (the body can’t properly use insulin or blood sugar). Because MetS consists of so many symptoms, it is also known as “Syndrome X” (1). The average yearly pharmacy cost for a patient with MetS is $4,000 and it has been called “the most expensive disease you’ve never heard of” (2).

Now a new study (3) suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help with blood vessel health in those with MetS. In the study, 29 subjects (15 male, 14 female) between the ages of 32 and 56 and diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were given either 2 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids (760 mg DHA, 920 mg EPA =  15 subjects) or placebo (14 subjects) for 12 weeks. Each group then went through a 4-week “washout” period and switched supplement groups for another 12 weeks. Blood vessel health was evaluated before the study and at days 28 and 84 with a test called flow-mediated dilation of the artery in the arm called the brachial artery. Blood samples were also taken to measure for inflammatory protein (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and an anti-clotting protein called plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)).

The researchers found 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids to produce “significant improvement” compared to the placebo group.  Specifically, there was a 39.7% increase in flow-mediated dilation by day 28 (3.67 to 5.13%, p < 0.001) and an overall 110% increase by day 84 (3.67 to 7.72%, p < 0.001) with no statistically significant changes in the placebo group (p = 0.63). For the inflammatory protein interleukin-6, the omega-3 group saw a 27% decrease by day 24 (0.26 to 0.19 picograms/milliliter, p < 0.001) and an overall 100% decrease by day 84 (0.26 to -0.01 pg/mL, p < 0.001) with no statistically significant changes in the placebo group (p = 0.77). Finally, those in the omega-3 group saw a 3.8% decrease in their fasting triglyceride levels by day 24 (180 to 175 milligrams/deciliter, p < 0.001) and an overall 7.8% decrease by day 84 (180 to 166 milligrams/deciliter, p < 0.001) with no statistically significant decrease in the placebo group (p = 0.65).

When attempting to explain how omega-3 fats produce these beneficial effects on blood vessels, the researchers admit the mechanisms are “multiple and complex” and include displacing the omega-6 fat arachidonic acid in the fat layer of cell membranes, suppressing the activity of other inflammatory proteins called thromboxane A2 and improving the sensitivity of muscle to nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels (4,5).

For the researchers, “In subjects with MetS, treatment with omega-3 PUFAs improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness with a parallel anti-inflammatory effect.”

Source: Tousoulis, Dimitris, et al. “Omega-3 PUFAs improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness with a parallel antiinflammatory effect in adults with metabolic syndrome.” Atherosclerosis 232.1 (2014): 10-16.

© 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Posted on February 27 2014.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com

References:

  1. “Metabolic Syndrome” posted on the American Heart Association Website
  2. “Metabolic Syndrome: The Most Expensive Disease You’ve Never Heard Of” – Medical News Today May 9, 2005
  3. Tousoulis D. Omega-3 PUFAs improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness with a parallel antiinflammatory effect in adults with metabolic syndrome . Atherosclerosis 2014 Jan;232(1):10-6. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.10.014. Epub 2013 Oct 25
  4. Das UN. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids interact with nitric oxide, superoxide anion, and transforming growth factor-beta to prevent human essential hypertension. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58:195e203.
  5. Saravanan P, DavidsonNC, Schmidt EB, Calder PC. Cardiovascular effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids. Lancet 2010;376:540e50.