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Flax and fish oil supplementation in fire‐paramedics
Author(s) -
Friel James Kenneth,
Murphy Eric,
Moghadasian Mohammed,
Kashour Tarek
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a572
Subject(s) - fish oil , medicine , placebo , fish <actinopterygii> , zoology , gastroenterology , biology , pathology , fishery , alternative medicine
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in North America. Recent interest in the prevention of CVD has focused on the use of omega‐3 fatty acids contained in flax oil and fish oil. We are conducting a 12 week pilot study (n = 60 adult subjects) to determine the optimal daily doses to reduce markers of inflammation in a group of fire‐paramedics who are at risk for heart disease by profession. The groups (n=10) are: Flax group : flax oil capsules (doses 1.2, 2.4, or 3.6 g/day); Fish oil group : fish oil capsules (doses 0.6 or 1.2 g/day); Placebo group : safflower oil (1 g/day). Baseline physicals were completed and blood is collected bi‐weekly. Results at study entry were (mean (SD): age 40 (10); wt 92 (14) kg; ht 177 (12) cm; BP 122/79 (20/14); pulse 61 (18). C‐reactive protein 1760 (2460) ng/mL 7 subjects elevated; tumor necrosis factor 2.1 (2.9) 2 elevated; sVCAM 518 (99) all in normal range; Interleukin 1 beta 0.1 (0.4) all normal. Baseline lipid data (mmol/L): TC 4 (0.8); HDL 1.3 (0.4); LDL 2.2 (0.8); TG 2.3 (1.6); TC/HDL ratio 3.5 (2.2). These subjects provide a heterogeneous group to assess the effects of omega‐3 supplementation. Supported by the Flax Council of Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research