[Annalisa BaileyParticipant]

Thank you for your response on the subject of fish oil supplementation. I have done some of my own research on supplementation of fish oil and have also found no concrete evidence that supplementation of fish oil is beneficial in increasing omega 3 fatty acids in the body. In a randomized, double blind, controlled, placebo study done by Veno et al, supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids were studied. After supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids there was no measured health benefit or increase in plasma levels of omega 3 fatty acids.(1) I have found no research supporting the health benefit of fish oil supplementation.

1. Veno SK, Nielsen MR, Lundbye-Christensen S, Schmidt EB, Handberg A. The Effect of Low-Dose Marine n-3 Fatty Acids on Plasma Levels of sCD36 in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Mar Drugs. 2013 Sep; 11(9): 3324–3334.

[Annalisa BaileyParticipant]

The effect of dietary fat on heart health has been studied extensively. Olive and canola oil are high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat including omega 3 fatty acids.(1) Saturated fat has been shown to increase total cholesterol increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. By replacing saturated fat with n-6 polyunsaturated fat, total plasma cholesterol levels are reduced as well as low density lipoproteins(LDL).(2) Monounsaturated fat found in olive oil lowers bad cholesterol, LDL, and raises good cholesterol, HDL.(1) Mayneris-Perxachs et. al performed a 1 year randomized controlled study of the Mediterranean Diet, which is high in plant oils.(3) Although the overall fat consumption in this diet is high, health benefits were recognized including a reduction in metabolic syndrome and low weight gain. A diet high in poly and monounsaturated fat results in a lower intake of carbohydrates which decreases the risk of insulin resistance.(3)

References:

1. Eat Right. All About Oils. eatright.org. http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/planning-and-prep/cooking-tips-and-trends/all-about-oils. Published August 24, 2015. Accessed March 6, 2015.

2. Hodson L, Skeaff CM, Chisholm WA. The effect of replacing dietary saturated fat with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat on plasma lipids in free-living young adults. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2001;55:908–915.

3. Mayneris-Perxachs J, Sala-Vila A, Chisaguano M, Castellote A, Estruch R, Covas M, Fito M, Salas-Salvado J, Martinez-Gonzalez M, Lamuela-Raventos R, Ros E, Lopez-Sabater C. Effects of 1-year intervention with a Mediterranean Diet on Plasma Fatty Acid Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome in a Population at High Cardiovascular Risk. PLOS One, 2014 Mar 20. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085202

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