Atlantic salmon found to decrease cardiovascular risk

A study published in the journal Nutrition Research examined the effect of salmon intake on lipoprotein particle size and concentration associated with cardiovascular disease risk. The study was carried out by researchers at Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, the University of Minnesota, and the University of North Dakota.

• The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest eating fish at least twice a week.
• Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which have positive lipid modifying effects, but it is unknown whether these effects are dose-dependent.
• The researchers hypothesized that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle size and concentration would increase with salmon intake in a dose-dependent manner.
• To test this hypothesis, they enrolled 19 overweight adults in a cross-over designed clinical trial evaluating the intake of salmon.
• The participants were assigned to consume 90, 180, or 270 grams (g) of Atlantic salmon twice a week for four weeks.
• Following a four- to eight-week washout, participants crossed over to another dose of fish intake until all treatments were completed.
• The researchers found that consumption of salmon reduced plasma and serum triglyceride levels and increased plasma HDL cholesterol levels.
• Salmon consumption also reduced very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle and chylomicron particle, while LDL particle concentrations were increased in a dose-dependent manner.
• The mean size of VLDL particle was reduced and that of LDL was increased.
• Total triglyceride was reduced as was the triglyceride content of VLDL particle and chylomicron particle.

Overall, the findings suggested that consuming salmon twice every week affects lipoprotein particle size and concentration in a manner associated with cardiovascular disease risk reduction.

To read more studies on salmon’s health benefits, visit FoodIsMedicine.com.

Journal Reference:

Raatz SK, Johnson LK, Rosenberger TA, Picklo MJ. TWICE WEEKLY INTAKE OF FARMED ATLANTIC SALMON (SALMO SALAR) POSITIVELY INFLUENCES LIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATION AND PARTICLE SIZE IN OVERWEIGHT MEN AND WOMEN. Nutrition Research. September 2016; 36(9): 899-906. DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2016.06.011