ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews data on the influence of diets containing increased amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, either as constituents of fish or as fish oils, on the plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, and individual lipoproteins, platelet function and parameters of hemostasis, blood pressure, and control of diabetes. It discusses selected studies in which dietary fish or fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids have been fed to human subjects. The chapter examines the effects of these diets on the plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in normal human subjects, patients with increased plasma concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and patients with primary elevations in the concentrations of low-density lipoprotine cholesterol. Although dietary omega-3 fatty acids may favorably affect some cardiovascular risk factors, they may have adverse effects on others; for this reason, the use of supplemental fish oils cannot be generally recommended.
