Improvement in the Plasma Omega-3 Index by the Use of a Fish Oil-Enriched Spread

Vol. 53, No. 1, 2008

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 188 KB)

Original Paper

Improvement in the Plasma Omega-3 Index by the Use of a Fish Oil-Enriched Spread
Guy De Groote^a, André De Laporte^b, Goedele Dhondt^b, Armand Christophe^c

^aCRI Laboratories, Ghent-Zwijnaarde,
^bR&D Center, NV Vandemoortele, Izegem, and
^cDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2008;53:23-28 (DOI: 10.1159/000152870)

Key Words

Omega-3 index
Eicosapentaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic acid
Fish oil-enriched spread

Abstract

Background: The main aim of this pilot study was to determine whether the omega-3 status can be improved by the use of a fish oil-enriched spread in a regular diet. Methods: The study started with an open arm where the participants consumed their regular diets followed by a randomized placebo-controlled arm with the inclusion of a spread which was either fish oil enriched or not (control). After each period,the fatty acid composition of red blood cell (RBC) and plasma phospholipids was determined by standard procedures and the sum of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid calculated. t tests were performed to calculate the significance. The first-order linear model was used to calculate correlations between selected parameters. Results: When the patients were on their usual diets, a strong correlation was found between the omega-3 index based on RBCs and plasma.In the group consuming the fish oil-enriched spread, the omega-3 index based on both RBCs and plasma was significantly higher after 3 weeks of intervention. This was not the case after intervention with the control spread. Conclusion: Inclusion of reasonable amounts of a fish oil-enriched spread in an otherwise regular diet can be sufficient for obtaining a significant increase in omega-3 index.

Author Contacts

Prof. Dr. A. Christophe
Ghent University Hospital
Clinic Building K12, Wing I.E., Floor 6, De Pintelaan 185
BE-9000 Gent (Belgium)
Tel. +32 9 332 2262, Fax +32 9 332 3897, E-Mail Armand.Christophe@ugent.be

Article Information

Received: December 3, 2007
Accepted after revision: June 12, 2008
Published online: September 5, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 22

Medline Abstract (ID 18772586)

Download Citation

This journal is part of the third subject package of the Karger

Journal Archive Collection

Information on packages (PDF)
Free sample issues

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.