Research conducted by the University of Georgia has revealed that fish oil supplementation can benefit those who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol.
The study, which utilised genetic and phenotypic data from 441,000 participants across the UK Biobank, focused on each individual’s ‘genetic likelihood’ for high LDL cholesterol levels, and how omega-3 supplementation could mitigate this risk.
It found that those who were taking fish oil supplements enriched with omega-3 had lower total cholesterol levels than predicted, as well as lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It also highlighted that participants supplementing with fish oil were more likely to have high levels of HDL, the ‘good’ form of cholesterol.
Having high cholesterol can put an individual at significant risk to a number of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke.
Therefore, finding natural ways to reduce cholesterol and manage such risks could be a beneficial approach.
Kaixoing Ye, the author of the study and a professor of genetics at the University, commented: “Our study shows that considering lifestyles will improve genetic prediction, while also supporting the use of fish oil supplements in those who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol.”