Incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids in healthy humans
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids in healthy humans following oral dosing of dietary supplements
IRAS ID
194927
Contact name
Philip C Calder
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Pronova BioPharma Norge AS
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN96459690
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 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 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. One such strategy may be a treatment of the oil, called pre-emulsification. This is because pre-emulsification could enhance the digestive process and may make delivery of the bioactive omega3 fats more effective. This is what we want to explore in this study. We plan to give healthy people supplements rich in either EPA or DHA in the usual (non-emulsified) form or in pre-emulsified form for a period of 12 weeks. We will measure both EPA and DHA in the blood plasma and blood cell samples at different time points and compare the results between the different forms consumed. If the pre-emulsified omega-3 fats are incorporated more quickly or to a greater extent than the non-emulsified ones, this may enhance their ability to affect human health.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0775
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion