Clinical overview of algal-docosahexaenoic acid: effects on triglyceride levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Open accessAbstract
The cardiovascular benefits of fish-derived long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid are well established. Less studied are specific effects of individual long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Based on data from 16 published clinical trials, this review examines effects of DHA triglyceride (TG) oil derived from algae (algal-DHA) on serum TG levels and related parameters. Study populations included subjects with both normal and elevated TG levels including those with persistent hypertriglyceridemia treated with concomitant 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) therapy. At doses of 1-2 g/d, algal-DHA significantly lowered plasma TG levels (up to 26%) either administered alone or in combination with statins. The reduction in TG levels was markedly greater in hypertriglyceridemic than in normal subjects. Algal-DHA modestly increased plasma levels of both high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The increased plasma level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a shift of lipoprotein particle size toward larger, less atherogenic subfractions. In some subjects, blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced. Algal-DHA was safe and well tolerated. Unlike fish oil, algal-DHA seldom caused gastrointestinal complaints such as fishy taste and eructation, attributes of importance for patient compliance in high-dose therapy. Regression analysis that showed a linear relationship between baseline TG and magnitude of TG reduction suggests that a study of patients with very high TG levels (>500 mg/dL) is warranted. Future pharmacologic therapies for treating hypertriglyceridemia may include algal-DHA.
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Before this study, no systematic review had examined how algal oil supplements relate to cardiovascular risk factors.
“Certain algae contain the (n-3) fatty acid DHA, yet the relation between algal oil supplementation and cardiovascular disease risk factors has not been systematically examined.”
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- Authors
- Ryan, A. S., Keske, M. A., Hoffman, J. P., & Nelson, E. B.
- Affiliations
- University of Tasmania (AU)
- Columbia International University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ryan, Alan S
- Venue
- American Journal of Therapeutics
- Published
- 2009-03
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 183-192
- ISSN
- 1075-2765 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2155636485
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 1.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- figshare.com
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- American Journal of Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Lipid metabolism and disorders
- Keywords
- triglyceride lowering, hypertriglyceridemia, statin combination therapy, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein particle size, blood pressure reduction, cardiovascular risk factors, safety and tolerability
- MeSH terms
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Trials as Topic, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Therapy, Combination, Humans, Risk Factors, Triglycerides, Hypertriglyceridemia, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Eukaryota
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