Decrease in blood triglycerides associated with the consumption of eggs of hens fed with food supplemented with fish oil

Abstract 

Background

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) convey several health benefits, including a reduction of serum concentration of triglycerides (TG).

Aim

To examine the effect on blood lipids, particularly TG, of a diet with n-3 PUFA enriched eggs in healthy volunteers in the Seychelles (Indian Ocean).

Methods

Double-blind crossover trial with one group of volunteers fed with 5 normal eggs per week during 3weeks followed by 5 enriched eggs per week during the next 3weeks while the other group received eggs in the inverse sequence. Hen feed was supplemented at 5% with tuna oil. Enriched eggs contained nine times more n-3 PUFA than usual eggs (mainly docosahexaenoic acid).

Results

Twenty-five healthy volunteers participated in the study. Based on pooled results observed during the two 3-week periods, consumption of enriched eggs was associated with a significant 16–18% decrease in serum triglycerides (P<0.01) but with no significant difference in serum LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. Serum LDL-cholesterol increased during the first 3-week period and decreased during the second 3-week period with both normal and enriched eggs. Participants did not report a systematic preference for either type of eggs.

Conclusions

Reasonable consumption of n-3 PUFA enriched eggs was associated with a significant decrease in serum triglycerides. These eggs could be a palatably acceptable source of n-3 PUFA.

Keywords: Enriched eggs, n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids, Triglycerides, Blood lipids, EPA, DHA, Seychelles, Clinical trial

Abbreviations: BHT, butylhydroxitoluol, DHA, docosahexaenoic acid, EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid, HDL, high-density lipoprotein, LDL, low-density lipoprotein, n-3 PUFA, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, TG, triglycerides, USDA, United States Department of Agriculture, VLDL, very low-density lipoprotein