Plasma fatty acid profile after nutritionally relevant intakes of oily fish and fish oil supplement

Introduction: It is well known that long-term and regular intakes of long chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from fish or fish oil supplements are useful in improving n-3 fatty status. Dietary guidelines recommend use of these fatty acids in purpose of cardio- vascular primary and secondary preventions. Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the difference in plasma fatty acid profile following general recommendations for fish intake or fish oil supplement usage. Method / Design: Participants were randomised to receive salmon (oily fish) providing 274 mg EPA + 671 mg DHA/day or commercial fish oil supplement providing 396 mg EPA + 250 mg DHA/ day in cross-over trial over 8 weeks period separated by the 6 months washout period. Fatty acids were extracted from plasma and analysed by gas chromatography. Results: The initial plasma concentration of fatty acids was not different between groups at baseline and after the washout phase. After 8 weeks, there was a significant increase in the level of EPA, DHA and total n-3 fatty acids in plasma of both groups. The percentage values of EPA increased by 135% in salmon group (p