Role of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Inflammation and Lipids
Metabolic Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Metabolic Syndrome
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria:
- fasting plasma TG levels between 150 and 500 mg/dL
- C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ≥2 µg/mL
at least one of the following criteria for the definition of metabolic syndrome:
- abdominal obesity (waist circumference >40 inches in men and >35 inches in women),
- hypertension (blood pressure ≥130/≥85 mmHg or use of anti-hypertensive medications), and
- fasting glucose ≥110 mg/dL.
Exclusion criteria:
- high-fish diets (>2 fish meals/week)
- taking fish oil supplements or supplements containing EPA or DHA
- allergy to sardines
- allergy to sunflower oil
- regular use of anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID, COX inhibitors, corticosteroids)
- anticoagulant therapy
- alcohol consumption >7 drinks/week
- uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction
- insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus
- kidney or liver disease
- smoking
- alterations in coagulation
- use of lipid altering medications
Sites / Locations
- Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
EPA intervention
DHA intervention
Placebo
Subjects randomized to receive 3000 mg EPA/day, provided as EPA 750 mg/capsule will be instructed to take 2 capsules by mouth in the morning and 2 in the evening with meals for 10 weeks.
Subjects randomized to 3000 mg DHA/day provided as DHA 750 mg/capsule will instructed to take 2 capsules by mouth in the morning and 2 in the evening with meals for 10 weeks.
3000 mg high oleic acid sunflower oil/day; 750 mg high oleic acid sunflower oil/capsule; subjects instructed to take 2 capsules by mouth in the morning and 2 in the evening with meals during 4 week long lead-in phase.