Can Cholesterol Lowering Drugs Influence Circulating Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels

All patients will undergo drug therapy as required to treat their clinical symptoms including the use of other classes of cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins (that will not interfere with intestinal cholesterol levels). One group of patients will be those who in addition to there existing drug therapy are prescribed ezetimibe to lower circulating cholesterol concentrations. A second group of patients will be those who are not prescribed ezetimibe as part of their normal course of therapy. Blood samples will be taken from all patients at the study baseline. All patients will be fasted for 12 hours prior to the blood sample being taken. After 6 weeks a second blood sample will be taken. This will determine if the drug intervention (ezetimibe) influenced the circulating omega-3 fatty acid concentration.

It will also be of interest to determine if drug administration (ezetimibe) will influence this process when higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids are given to the patients by dietary supplements of ALA. Two additional groups of patients will consume a flaxseed oil supplement containing 1g of ALA in the form of two capsules daily

Inclusion criteria

• The subject is between 18-80 years old
• The subject lives in Winnipeg area
• The subject is willing to seize intake of oils/ salad dressings/ seafood
• The subject is willing to comply with the study schedule

Exclusion criteria

• The subject had been taking flax oil in the last month
• The subject is not willing to undergo dietary restrictions