Study Finds DHA Supplementation Not Associated WIth Increase in LDL Cholesterol

Some previous research has suggested that supplementation with fish oil containing the fatty acid DHA may raise levels of LDL-C, the bad cholesterol. Now in a new study, researchers have found that DHA supplementation does not increase LDL cholesterol.

Participants in the study included 9.253 adults with an average age of 52.6. The researchers measured blood cholesterol levels and serum DHA levels at baseline and after 10 years. Participants also provided information about the use of omega-3 supplements.

Participants’ serum levels of DHA increased on average from 5.0% to 5.3% during the study period. The researchers found that a 1% increase in serum levels of DHA was associated with a 1.9 mg/dL reduction in LDL cholesterol. This association held for users of lipid-lowering drugs.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Fatty Acid Research Institute and the Cooper Institute.It was published online ahead of print on December 8, 2020 in The Journal of Clinical Lipidology.