Evaluation of the Safety and Biologic Effects of an Eicosapentaenoic (EPA)-Enriched Oil

The safety profile of omega-3 fatty acids is considered to be excellent, and has been recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration when EPA and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are given together at a dose of 3 grams/day or less. Safety will be monitored by assessing for adverse reactions, measuring vital signs and a variety of laboratory tests including a complete metabolic profile and complete blood count. Efficacy will be assessed by measuring changes in fatty acid profile and or fatty acid ratios.

The goal of this study is to test this EPA oil at doses of 600 mg and 1800 mg of EPA/day as compared to olive oil placebo and a comparator oil providing 600 mg of DHA/day over a 6 wk period. In a parallel arm study design, 120 healthy adults will be randomized to one of four groups (30 in each group) and studied in both the fasting and post-prandial state.

Inclusion criteria

• healthy male or surgically sterile females between ages 21-70.
• BMI of 20-35.

Exclusion criteria

• competitive exerciser.
• current smokers.
• those already taking dietary supplements (EPA, DHA, flax seed oil, fish oil, cod liver oil, weight control products, or high doses of vitamin C (> 500 mg/day) or vitamin E (> 400 units/day).
• those consuming more than 3 oily fish species/week.
• those consuming > 2 drinks/day.
• those with a history of a bleeding disorder, or history of significant cardiac, renal, hepatic, gastro-intestinal, pulmonary, neoplastic, biliary or endocrine disorders such as uncontrolled thyroid disease, or uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes.
• those taking medications affecting serum lipids, body weight, or blood clotting.