A new study has found how an increase in the intake of fatty
fish could increase the number of large HDL particles. People who increased
their intake of fish to a minimum of 3-4 weekly meals had more large HDL particles
in their blood than people who are less frequent eaters of fish. Large HDL
particles are believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases.
The consumption of fish has long been know to be beneficial
for health; however, the mechanisms by which fats and other useful nutrients
found in fish work in the human body are not fully known. This new study
carried out at the UEF provides new information on how the consumption of fish
affects the size and lipid concentrations of lipoproteins which transport
lipids in the blood. The study participants increased their intake of fatty
fish in particular.
It was observed that a higher intake of fish increased the
number of large HDL particles and lipids contained in them. Population-based
studies have shown that HDL cholesterol - also known as good cholesterol - and
large HDL particles are efficient in sweeping extra cholesterol off artery
walls. Large HDL particles have been associated with reduced risk of
cardiovascular diseases, whereas small HDL particles may even have opposite
effects.
Positive changes in lipid metabolism were observed in
persons who increased their intake of fish most, i.e. in persons who ate at
least 3-4 fish meals per week. The study participants ate fatty fish such as
salmon, rainbow trout, herring and vendace. No added butter or cream was used
in the preparation of fish. The study doesn't give answers to whether a similar
effect would have been observed had the study participants mainly eaten low-fat
fish such as zander and perch. Low-fat fish may have other health benefits such
as lowering of blood pressure, which was observed in an earlier study carried
out at the UEF.
State-of-the-art metabolomics was used in the study,
enabling for instance a very detailed analysis of lipoprotein particles. The
analyses were carried out by the university's NMR Metabolomics Laboratory.
Traditionally, cholesterol is divided into "bad" LDL cholesterol and
"good" HDL cholesterol, but this method allows the investigation of a
total of 14 different particle classes. "People shouldn't fool themselves
into thinking that if their standard lipid levels are OK, there's no need to
think about the diet, as things are a lot more complicated than that. Soft
vegetable fats and fish are something to prefer in any case," Postdoctoral
Researcher Maria Lankinen says.
However, the researchers emphasise that a dietary approach
to the treatment of increased overall and LDL cholesterol levels is important.
The findings are well in line with the Finnish nutrition
recommendations encouraging people to reduce the consumption of red meat and to
increase the consumption of fish and other sea foods. Further information on
the health effects of fish will become available in the near future as results
from the Alfakala project carried out at the UEF Institute of Public Health and
Clinical Nutrition become available. The study takes a more detailed approach
into the health effects of fish- and plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids, and it
studies the health effects of fatty and low-fat fish.
Source : Medindia.net
