Effect of fish oil on blood pressure and blood lipids in men with mild to moderate hypertension

Forty men with mild to moderate hypertension were given one of two dietary supplements for 6 weeks: 20 capsules of fish oil (MaxEPA) or placebo (olive and corn oil). The MaxEPA supplement provided about 7 g omega-3-fatty acids pr day, whereas the placebo contained about 7 g omega-6-fatty acids and only 0.2 g omega-3-fatty acids. A clinical insignificant reduction in blood pressure was noted in both groups. In the fish oil group, the serum triglyceride levels fell by 30%. A decrease in the ratio total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (HDL-) cholesterol was noted in both groups, most pronounced in the placebo group. No significant effect on total serum cholesterol level was observed during this study.