Cardiovascular events are more likely to occur in the hours following a high-fat meal, a phenomenon thought to be related to temporary impairment of vascular function after eating. Research published in the Journal of Nutrition (February 2008; 138: 287–291) examined whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil, could influence vascular responses after a high-fat meal.
This small, randomized study involved 17 healthy men who consumed two test meals one week apart, each containing 51 grams of fat. On one study day, participants were supplemented with 5 grams of EPA combined with high-oleic sunflower oil, and on the other day they received high-oleic sunflower oil alone. Four hours later, all participants consumed a second high-fat meal (44 grams of fat).
Blood pressure and arterial function were assessed using digital volume pulse analysis to derive a stiffness index, a measure of arterial tone. Measurements were taken in the fasting state and again at three and six hours after the test meal. The researchers found that EPA supplementation improved vascular tone following the high-fat meal compared to the control condition.
These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may help blunt the transient vascular dysfunction that can occur after high-fat meals.
