Nov 15, 2005
Study Finds Fish Oil Supplements Improve Lipid Profile in Overweight Children

According to the results of a 12-week study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2005 Scientific Sessions in Dallas, Texas, by researchers from the University of Nevada School of Medicine, taking fish oil supplements can improve lipid profile in overweight children and teens who are at a high risk of heart disease.

According to Dr. Gary A. Mayman, a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and codirector of Children's Heart Center in Las Vegas: "There were dramatic changes in the lipid profile of high-risk children who took fish oil supplements in addition to diet and exercise. Children who were overweight and had a high triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio significantly responded."

The study included 49 overweight children aged 10 to 18 having a body mass index higher than the 95 percentile. The children were matched by sex and age and randomly placed in either a control group or active treatment group.

Each child received a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and protein, and a supervised exercise program during a three-month period. In addition, the treatment group was given 3 g of a daily fish oil supplement (OmegaRx). Researchers drew fasting blood samples at the first visit and at week 12.

At baseline, lipid profiles in both groups were similar. After 12 weeks, the researchers found that triglyceride levels in the control group did not significantly differ from baseline. In contrast, triglyceride levels in children who were given fish oil significantly decreased.

Dr. Mayman stated that: "This is an effort to change the lipid profiles in children who are at risk of heart disease in later life.” He also told Medscape that if there had been a larger number of subjects in the overall trial, he believes there would have been larger changes in the lipid profiles of all overweight children treated in the study.

The study authors say that the change in the ratio of triglyceride/HDL cholesterol suggests an increase in size of the particles, lowering the risk of heart disease.

"This is a very interesting study," said Dr. Nieca Goldberg of the AHA and chief of Women's Cardiac Care Unit at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City. "It is important in that it records the risks of obesity in young people who have increasing lower levels of good cholesterol and elevated triglycerides."

Dr. Goldberg believes that, while the study was well-intentioned and interesting, it was too small to definitively say that all overweight children should take fish oil supplements. She does, however, believe that the study makes good strides toward developing programs that young people can carry throughout life to remain heart healthy.

Source: Newsinferno News Staff