Consumption of fish oil supplement alters erythrocyte fatty acid composition in overweight, hypercholesterolemic, middle-aged Serbians

The population of Serbia is characterized by very low fish intake and a similarly inadequate intake of other natural dietary sources of n-3 fatty acids (FAs). On the other hand, the use of fish oil dietary supplements has increased as well as the number of different commercially available products with fish oil. The effect of fish oil supplement use under real-life conditions on the erythrocyte total FA profile was investigated in this study. Fifteen middle-aged participants without acute health problems but with slightly increased body weight and mild hyperlipidemia were chosen as representatives of the average fish oil supplement consumers in Serbia. For 8, weeks participants were supplemented with fish oil in doses that are commonly used among supplement consumers: 2 fish oil capsules per day, each with a declared content of 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3). Erythrocyte lipids were extracted and then analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography. A significant decrease was observed in oleic and 20:3n9 FAs (P < .05), whereas an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (0.8 ± 0.17 to 1.1 ± 0.59) and docosahexaenoic acid (2.7 ± 0.87 to 3.5 ± 1.09) was noted. The ratio of n-6 to n-3 FAs significantly decreased after fish oil supplementation (P < .05). Our findings support the practice of moderate fish oil supplement use in the middle-aged slightly overweight and hypercholesterolemic individuals based on its effect on erythrocyte total FA profile.