Health Beneficial Effects of Krill Oil and Lean and Fatty Fish

Health Beneficial Effects of Krill Oil and Lean and Fatty Fish

Intake of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from fish oil and fish are associated with significant health benefits in risk of cardiovascular disease. However, both lean and fatty fish have been shown to have beneficial effects suggesting that not all effects are mediated by n-3 PUFAs. Krill oil is an n-3 PUFA supplement on the marked. The n-3 PUFAs from krill oil is in the form of phospholipids, and these fatty acids may be more readily and effectively absorbed after ingestion than n-3 PUFAs in the form of triacylglycerols from fish oil. Fish also contain many other potential health components than n-3 PUFAs such as taurine and vitamin D, iodine, selenium and more unspecified components such as bioactive peptides which can mediate the health beneficial effects observed after intake of fish.

The present study aims to elucidate the cardiovascular health beneficial effects after consumption of fish (lean and fatty) and krill oil, with regard to effects on plasma lipids and other markers of cardiovascular health such as inflammatory, haemostatic and endothelial dysfunction markers. The investigators will perform whole genome transcriptome analyses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in order to further understand the cardiovascular health benefits and elucidate the mechanisms of action.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy volunteers (CRP < 10 mg/L)
• Stable weight (± 5 % of body weight) the last three months
• BMI 18.5-35 kg/m2
• Fasting triglycerides 1.3-4.0 mmol/L
• Willingness to eat fish
• Willingness to not take omega-3 or other dietary supplements during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or lactation
• Any chronic disease, including diabetes type 1 or 2. CVD or cancer past 6 months
• Elevated thyroid hormones or TSH levels
• Elevated total cholesterol (>7.8 mmol/L) or fasting triglycerides (>4.0 mmol/L)
• Use of prescription drugs that may affect triglycerides (e.g. diabetes drugs, Cyclosporin A, Orlistat and Sibutramine), except statins if stable dose past 3 months.
• Blood pressure > 160/100 mmHg
• Hormone treatment (except stable doses the past three months of contraceptives or thyroxine)
• Planned weight loss
• The use of Vita Proactive or other food items enriched with plant sterols
• Excessive alcohol consumption (>40 g/day)
• Habitual fish consumption of more than one serving of fatty fish per week