n-3 fatty acids reduce blood viscosity in hyperlipoproteinemia: Results of a double blind study

Abstract

Fourty four patients with cholesterol levels above 250 mg/dl were randomized into two groups receiving either n-3 fatty acids (3*2 capsules daily) or placebo for 24 days. Hematocrit, blood and plasma viscosity were taken at baseline, after 12 and 24 days. The results show that blood viscosity falls in both groups. The decline is faster and stronger in the n-3 supplemented group. There is no change in plasma viscosity in either group. Hematocrit falls slightly in the n-3 group. The findings confirm earlier data but are obtained with a more rigorous study design. In conclusion we feel that n-3 fatty acids have a strong potential for normalizing blood rheology and should be tested clinically under this aspect.