Incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Influence of an omega-3 fatty acid triglyceride formulation on EPA and DHA appearance in human plasma after single dosing

• IRAS ID

  265677

• Contact name

  Philip C Calder

• Contact email

  pcc@soton.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  BASF AS

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 1 months, 27 days

• Research summary

  Omega3 fats are found in fish and in fish oil supplements. The two main omega3 fats are called EPA and DHA. These fats are important for human health and well being and the government has recommended that people consume more fish and more omega3 fats. However many people do not eat the types of fish rich in omega3 fats and are
  resistant to changing their diet. For these people supplements providing EPA and DHA can be a useful alternative to fish. Such “fish oil” supplements provide EPA and DHA in a variety of chemical forms. The biological effect of omega3 fats, and so their impact on health and well-being, depends upon effective incorporation of the fatty acids into blood, cells and tissues; in general the higher the amount incorporated the greater the effect. Therefore, strategies to enhance incorporation of omega3 fats are of interest and relevance to consumers, to industry and to regulators. It is possible that different chemical formulations of omega3 fats might affect their absorption because they influence emulsification in the upper small intestine. This has not been well explored. We plan to give healthy older people supplements rich in either EPA or DHA in one of two forms: ethyl esters (common in pharmaceutical preparations) or triglyceride (common in most supplements). We will measure both EPA and DHA in the blood plasma at different time points up to 12 hours after taking the omega3. We will compare the results between the different forms consumed. If the triglyceride omega3 fats appear more quickly or to a greater extent than the ethyl ester ones, this may enhance their ability to affect human health.

• REC name

  London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  19/LO/0939

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Jul 2019

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion