Cardiovascular disease prevention Circulatory System
Conditions
Interventions
Arm 1 – 2 portions of fish (280g) per week
Arm 2 – Daily 1g omega 3 supplement – 400mg EPA+ 200mg DHA per day.
Arm 3 – Daily 1g placebo supplement (corn oil)
All three study arms will receive a 12-
no additional follow-up beyond 12 weeks is planned. Randomisation will be performed by an independent researcher who is not involved in participant recruitment or assessment. Allocation will be conduc
Sponsors
University of Ulster
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Omega-3 index < 6% 2. Healthy males or females 3. Aged 18–30 years old 4. Low consumers of fish (< 2 portions/month) 5. Willing to consume 2 portions (280 grams) of fish per week 6. Not consuming fish oil supplements 7. Not consuming protein supplements 8. Within a BMI of 18–30 kg/m² 9. Not allergic to seafood
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Omega-3 index > 6% 2. Regularly consume fish 3. Are allergic to seafood 4. Are taking fish oil supplements (e.g., fish oil, cod oil, krill oil, GLA, or evening primrose) or protein supplements (e.g., whey protein) 5. Are pregnant or lactating 6. Have existing health conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus or known hypertension 7. Have dietary restrictions resulting in the exclusion of fish (e.g., vegan)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Omega 3 index: Percentage of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cell membranes measured using GC/MS at Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (week 12) | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Polyunsaturated fatty acid status [LA, AA, ALA, EPA, DHA (mg/ml)] measured using GC/MS at Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (week 12);Inflammatory status – Cytokine concentration (IL-5, IFN-g, IL-10, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-a (pg/ml)) measured using Validated Immunoassays at Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (week 12);Cardiovascular inflammatory markers (Adhesion molecules; ICAM-1, VCAM-1, Selectins (E-Selectin and P-Selectin) measured using Validated Immunoassays at Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (week 12);Plasma lipid profile (Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol (mmol/l)) measured using Automated biochemistry analyser at Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (week 12);Vascular health measured using Blood pressure, flow mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and pulse wave analysis (PWA) at Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (week 12) | — |
Countries
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Contacts
Public ContactEmeir McSorley
Outcome results
None listed