Observing Metabolism of EPA With Consideration of Genetics And Sex

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO · May 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how the body processes a type of omega-3 fatty acid called EPA, which is found in certain fish and supplements. The researchers want to find out how quickly EPA is turned into another omega-3 called DHA and whether factors like a person's sex and genetic makeup play a role in this process. They will also look at how dietary EPA affects levels of DHA and other related substances in the blood.

If you're between the ages of 65 and 74 and generally healthy, you might be eligible to participate. Participants will take EPA supplements for 12 weeks and provide blood samples at various times during the study to help researchers gather their data. However, certain conditions—like being overweight or underweight, having high blood pressure or cholesterol, or consuming too much fish or omega-3 supplements—may exclude you from participation. This study aims to improve our understanding of omega-3 metabolism, which could have important implications for nutrition and health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • BMI between 18.5- 30 kg/m2
• • healthy
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • High consumption of n-3 PUFA, including ≥ 2 servings of fish/seafood or EPA/DHA-enriched foods per week
• • Consumption of any supplements containing ALA/EPA/DHA currently or within the previous 6 months
• • Allergies to any component of the study supplement (fish, gelatin etc.)
• • BMI \<18.5 kg/m² or \>30 kg/m²
• • Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning on becoming pregnant
• • Diagnosis with chronic or communicable diseases
• • Prescription of chronic pharmacological medications (except for oral contraceptives)
• • High blood pressure (systolic or diastolic blood pressure above 130 or 80mmHg, respectively)
• • Hypertriglyceridemia (serum \> or = 1.69 mmol/l)
• • Hypercholesterolemia (serum LDL-C \> or =5 mmol/l)
• • Anticipated changes in lifestyle within the next 4 months
• • Smoking
• • Heavy alcohol use (\>3 drinks/day)
• • Major surgery in the last six months