Effect of dosage form and total dietary fat on omega-3 fatty acid metabolism in man

Abstract

Within the last two decades interest has been generated regarding the biochemistry, physiology and metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids. They appear to have a variety of biological actions that influence platelet aggregability, inflammation, lipid levels and blood pressure. The low incidence of cardiovascular disease and certain inflammatory diseases found in the Greenland Eskimo population has been attributed to a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. It has been reported that absorption of omega-3 fatty acids can be altered by both the dosage form and the total amount of dietary fat consumed. To assess ways of enhancing the pharmacological effects of omega-3 fatty acid in man, we administered omega-3 fatty acids, providing 4.8 grams per day as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for four weeks as either triglycerides (TG) or ethyl ester (EE) to four groups of ... [TRUNCATED]