Omega-3 supplements make LDL go up?

[elf]

 
It is widely known that Omega-3 supplements make your triglycerides  go down, but they can make your LDL cholesterol go up, just in my case.

My triglycerides and total cholesterol jumped after I started taking meds, but my LDL cholesterol was fine.
After 6 months of taking omega-3 (3-4 g per day), my triglycerides went down (to normal), my total cholesterol stayed high, but LDL level increased to HIGH (5.1 mmol/L or 198 g/L).

Should I continue taking omega-3 supplements (3g of normal omega-3 supplements [by Twinlab] and 1 g of Lovaza/Omacor)?

Is that LDL increase dangerous? 


http://www.medscape.com/infosite/lovaza/article-1

In some patients, LOVAZA increased LDL-C and ALT levels (without a concurrent increase in AST).

[aztecan]

Lovaza is highly concentrated fish oil and, therefore, is more than most people take.

I, on the other hand, take more milligrams of fish oil each day than is found in Lovaza. I take 6,000 mgs, or 6 grams, of fish oil daily.

That is the maximum the doctor told me is allowed for humans, so I guess that includes me.

I would not cease my fish oil without first airing your concerns with your doctor. By and large, the good done by fish oil seems to outweigh potential bad.

HUGS,

Mark

[elf]

Thanks my friend. 

[elf]

I added Flush-free Niacin (from Swanson) to my diet,
and now my LDL is lower than normal
triglycerides are within the normal range, and
my total cholesterol is down to  6.5 mmol/l  [ 251.35344 mg/dl] from  7.1 mmol/l  [ 274.5553 mg/dl]
I'm taking Lovaza (3 capsules per day) and sometimes flax oil.

[jewel3]

It is widely known that Omega-3 supplements make your triglycerides  go down, but they can make your LDL cholesterol go up, just in my case.

My triglycerides and total cholesterol jumped after I started taking meds, but my LDL cholesterol was fine.
After 6 months of taking omega-3 (3-4 g per day), my triglycerides went down (to normal), my total cholesterol stayed high, but LDL level increased to HIGH (5.1 mmol/L or 198 g/L).

Should I continue taking omega-3 supplements (3g of normal omega-3 supplements [by Twinlab] and 1 g of Lovaza/Omacor)?

Is that LDL increase dangerous? 


http://www.medscape.com/infosite/lovaza/article-1

i must agree...when it comes to dosage confusion and drug interaction, consult with your doc. sometimes it varies. i had the same problem when i switched to maxalife  fish oil caps but luckily i consulted with my doc first and he explained everything to me. good luck!

edited to remove a commercial link.

[elf]

My total cholesterol has gone up but it's because my HDL is up from 1.0 to 1.6 (thanks to niacin).
My LDL/HDL ratio is normal.
I've added pectin tablets to my diet, as well as 750mL of diet orange juice (flavonoids make cholesterol go down), as well as 500 mL of tomato juice (lycopene inhibits the oxidation of LDL). I eat a lot of fish and nuts.

My triglycerides are normal (for the 1st time).
I take 3-4g of omega-3, usually 1g of Lovaza plus 3 g of regular omega-3.

I took 6g the other day, and my blood pressure was so low, and I was feeling like vomitting (although there was nothing to throw up, only water  ). So, don't take too much of omega-3.

[elf]

 :-   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/993.html

''Are there safety concerns?


Fish oil is LIKELY SAFE for most people, including pregnant and breast-feeding women, when taken in low doses (3 grams or less per day).

Fish oil can cause side effects including belching, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, loose stools, rash, and nosebleeds. Taking fish oil supplements with meals or freezing them can often decrease these side effects.

Taking high doses of fish oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Taking more than 3 grams per day might keep blood from clotting and can increase the chance of bleeding.

High doses of fish oil might also reduce the immune system’s activity, reducing the body’s ability to fight infection. This is a special concern for people taking medications to reduce their immune system’s activity (HIV/AIDS patients, for example) and the elderly.

Taking fish oil supplements in larger amounts can increase levels of the “bad” LDL cholesterol in some people. You will need blood tests periodically to ensure LDL cholesterols do not become too high.''



 

[Lorenzopier]

The n−6 to n−3 ratio

Main article: Essential fatty acid interactionsSome clinical studies[5][12][13] indicate that the ingested ratio of n−6 to n−3 (especially linoleic vs alpha-linolenic) fatty acids is important to maintaining cardiovascular health. However, two studies published in 2005 and 2007 found that while n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are extremely beneficial in preventing heart disease in humans, the levels of n−6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (and therefore the ratios) were insignificant.[14][15]Both n−3 and n−6 fatty acids are essential; i.e., humans must consume them in the diets. N−3 and n−6 eighteen-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids compete for the same metabolic enzymes, thus the n−6:n−3 ratio will significantly influence the ratio of the ensuing eicosanoids (hormones), (e.g., prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, etc.), and will alter the body's metabolic function.[16] In general, grass-fed animals accumulate more n−3 than do grain-fed animals, which accumulate relatively moren−6.[17] Metabolites of n−6 are more inflammatory (esp. arachidonic acid) than those of n−3. This necessitates that n−3 and n−6 be consumed in a balanced proportion; healthy ratios of n−6:n−3 range from 1:1 to 1:4 (an individual needs more n−3 than n−6).[18]Studies suggest the evolutionary human diet, rich in game animals, seafood, and other sources of n−3, may have provided such a ratio.[19][20]

[NycJoe]

I can only speak for myself.  I have taken lovaza for about 2 years and my LDL actually fell down to 94 best ever.  HDL went from 27 to 36.  It's a real bitch getting it above 40!

[elf]

My LDL is normal now because I stopped taking Kaletra (I'm on Sustiva+Epzicom now) and I have lost 30 pounds in 4 months. I take phytosterol (1.5g) and generic omega-3 (6g) every day.  There are days when I have to force myself to eat (I have no appetite at all). If I don't eat anything, jogging is difficult, no fun at all, slow and boring. And I have no energy left to go to the gym.

[Tempeboy]

Great thread,

It's important to choose a quality fish oil made from a quality source of deep sea fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon and sardines. 

Supplements that are demonstrated to promote mental health, healthy blood fats and reduce inflammation should contain specific omega-3 essential fatty acids, being eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

One capsule can be said to contain a 'gram' of fish oil, but unless it contains these omega 3's at effective levels then you might be taking mostly just fat, which could result in unwanted changes to your blood lipids.

You should also check for the levels of heavy metals in fish oil supplements, as all seafood contain heavy metals.  These can be eliminated from the body by taking Zinc supplements (or eating oysters).

There are lots of high quality fish oil supplements out there, including many that don't cause reflux or diarrhoea - check out - http://www.newyorkbuyersclub.org/

Most protease inhibitors and some NNRTI's can increase blood fats - so switching can be an option.

Fish Oil supplements have also been shown to boost the effects of anti lipid medication as well.