Omega-3 Compounds Promote Blood Vessel Health

In that increased arterial stiffness is associated with enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease in obese individuals, Gerald F. Watts, from the University of Western Australia (Australia), and colleagues investigated whether omega-3 supplementation improves the condition.  The researchers enrolled 25 obese men and women in a study in which the subjects were assigned to a 25% energy deficit weight loss diet, with 13 participants also receiving an omega-3 supplement (providing 46% EPA and 38% DHA).  After 12 weeks, the team observed significant changes in to large (+20%) and small (+22%) artery elasticity; as well as systolic (−8%) and diastolic (−5%) blood pressures, pulse pressure (−5%), heart rate (−8%), plasma triglyceride concentration (−36%), and insulin resistance (−12%) plasma HDL cholesterol (+6%) and adiponectin concentrations (+28%).  The study authors write that: “Supplementation with [omega-3 fatty acid ethyl ester] improves [large and small artery elasticity] independently of weight loss in obese adults.”