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

SummaryBackground: & aimsThe effects of n − 3 LC-PUFA-supplemented dairy products on cardiovascular risk factors in mildly hypertriacylglycerolemic patients (TAG: ≥1.5 mmol/L) were determined.MethodsFifty-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 (3 g 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.ResultsGenerally, 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.ConclusionsThe consumption of n − 3 LC-PUFA-supplemented dairy products decreases cardiovascular risk factors.