COVID-19 pandemic & expiration of grant funds

The purpose of this study is to determine how eating fish raised to have different levels of omega-3 fatty acids will reduce cardiovascular risk markers in people with elevated cardiovascular risk.

Consumption of fish high in long chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCn3) is associated with reduction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. CVD is a major cause of death in the United States. The current obesity epidemic contributes significantly to elevated CVD risk by increasing inflammation and platelet dysfunction. Prevention of CVD is a public health goal and comprises several avenues of action, of which inclusion of LCn3-rich fish in the diet may be one of the most effective.

Obese participants will participate in a double blind, randomized, cross-over designed trial in which they will consume twice-weekly a prepared meal containing diploid (2N) farmed rainbow trout, triploid (3N) farmed rainbow trout containing higher levels of LCn3, or tilapia, a low LCn3 fish.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI of 30 - 39.9 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Are allergic to fish
• Use tobacco products or nicotine in any form including snuff, pills, and patches, or e-cigarettes in the past 6 months
• Have established cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or a metabolic disease such as diabetes
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have alcohol, anabolic steroids, or other substance abuse issues
• Consume more than 3 alcoholic drinks/week
• Have cancer
• Are pregnant or nursing
• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or Aleve, lipid modifying drugs such as statins, take medications for blood glucose such as insulin or metformin