Influence of fish consumption on the distribution of serum cholesterol in lipoprotein fractions: comparative study among fish‐consuming and non‐fish‐consuming populations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate serum lipoprotein levels in order to assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors between fish-consuming populations and non-fish-consuming populations, as it has been speculated that fish intake reduces CVD risk. A representative sample of one thousand subjects (529 men and 471 women) were selected, with ages ranging from 20 to 70 years, from 40 villages belonging to fish-consuming (500) or non-fish-consuming (500) populations. Serum lipoprotein lipids such as total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were analysed biochemically using standard procedures. The ratios of TC: HDL-C and LDL-C: HDL-C were computed. Mean values of serum LDL-C and the ratios of LDL-C: HDL-C and TC: HDL-C were significantly lower and HDL-C levels were higher in fish-consumers than in non-fish-consumers. The concentrations of HDL-C decreased with increasing age, while the reverse was true for LDL-C and for the LDL-C: HDL-C and TC: HDL-C ratios. There were significant sex differences for certain age groups in both of the population groups. The 5th, 50th and 95th percentile cut-off values for these parameters were lower in fish-consumers than in non-fish-consumers. The prevalence of individuals at risk of CVD because of low HDL-C (<35 mg/dL), high LDL-C (>130 mg/dL) and their atherogenic ratios (LDL-C: HDL-C >3.5 and TC: HDL-C>4.5) was significantly greater in non-fish-consumers. This study highlights that the fish-consuming population had a lower atherogenic risk than the non-fish-consuming population. The intake of fish may have substantial implications for public health and health economy by decreasing the risk of CVD. However, more studies are warranted to better define the mechanisms of cardioprotection by dietary fish and fish oils.

Fish consumption, low-level mercury, lipids, and inflammatory markers in children

“…In these multivariate models, children consuming fish had significantly higher HDL-C ( F (1, 85) = 4.17, p < 0.05; full model R 2 = 0.16), a better ratio of TC:HDL-C ( F (1, 85) = 7.12, p < 0.01; full model R 2 = 0.23), lower triglycerides ( F (1, 85) = 6.76, p < 0.05;; full model R 2 = 0.23), less dyslipidemia ( F (1, 85) = 10.03, p < 0.01; full model R 2 = 0.28), greater blood Pb ( F (1, 87) = 8.05, p < 0.01; full model R 2 = 0.25), and greater blood Hg ( F (1, 87) = 14.48, p < 0.05; full model R 2 = 0.23). While studies have demonstrated the benefits of fish consumption for lipid profiles in adults (Bulliyya 2002; Gunnarsdottir et al 2008), particularly by increasing HDL-C (Smith et al 2009), we are not aware of this being shown before in children. Fish consumption in children was also associated with significantly greater blood Hg, which is not surprising given that fish consumption represents the primary exposure route for Hg in humans.…”

Lower HDL-cholesterol among healthy middle-aged Japanese-Brazilians in São Paulo compared to Natives and Japanese-Brazilians in Japan

“…For instance, a recent study on smoking habits and serum lipids in a large Japanese cohort confirmed the association of smoking with lower HDL-cholesterol in both genders at any age [34]. The hypolipidemic effect of dietary fish and fish oils has been associated with protection against CHD [19,35,36]. Results of a study with middle-aged Japanese-Americans in Hawaii and Natives Japanese showed a positive association of fish consumption with serum HDL-cholesterol, which may have been associated with reduced mortality due to CHD among the Native Japanese [21].…”

“…Environmental factors affecting serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations include physical activity, obesity, composition of diet, use of tobacco and alcohol, stress, and medication [1,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Previous studies have shown unfavorable lipid profiles to be associated with increased prevalence of CHD among Japanese immigrants to Hawaii [21] and California [22] compared to Native Japanese.…”

Definitions and potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet: views from experts around the world

“…ProteinsMore fish, sea foods, chicken and legumes. Less red meatMost from legumes/pulses and less from non-vegetarian foodsAlthough fish consumption (among non-vegetarians) has been shown to improve lipid fractions among Indians and thus lower CVD risk [73], the consumption varies in different regions. Most Indians consume pulses much more frequently than fish [74–76].…”