n-3 LC-PUFA-enriched dairy products are able to reduce cardiovascular risk factors: a double-blind, cross-over study.

BACKGROUND

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AIMS

The effects of n-3 LC-PUFA-supplemented dairy products on cardiovascular risk factors in mildly hypertriacylglycerolemic patients (TAG: ≥1.5 mmol/L) were determined.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients (25 f, 26 m) were included in the double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study and were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received intervention (3g n-3 LC-PUFA/d) and control dairy products consecutively for fifteen weeks with a ten-week wash-out phase between the two treatments. Blood samples and 24-h urine were obtained at the beginning and at the end of each period. The blood lipids were determined by enzymatic methods and using the autoanalyser Synchron LX systems (Beckman Coulter). 7,8-Dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine and fatty acids were analysed with HPLC and GC.

RESULTS

Generally, the consumption of the intervention products resulted in a significant improvement of cardiovascular risk factors, e.g., n-3 FA index, AA/EPA ratio, total cholesterol, and TAG. The TAG and LDL/HDL ratio were lower at the end of the intervention period in comparison with the control period, whereas HDL cholesterol was higher at the end of the intervention period. Further, n-3 LC-PUFA-enriched products did not cause additional oxidative DNA damage as shown by the 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine excretion.

CONCLUSIONS

The consumption of n-3 LC-PUFA-supplemented dairy products decreases cardiovascular risk factors.