Extract

Background and study aims Oily fish such as mackerel and sardines contain natural omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). O3FAs are commonly used as nutritional supplements, with scientific evidence suggesting numerous health benefits including improved cognitive performance, maintenance of a healthy heart and even possible anticancer effects. These supplements are traditionally taken as capsules, although recently developed fruit flavoured drink cartons are now available e.g. Smartfish® Nutrifriend Cachexia (NFCax). There is however a lack of scientific data available related to the O3FA juice supplements and therefore we wish to compare taking two Smartfish® NFCax drinks per day with the equivalent dose (4 g total EPA/DHA) as eight O3FA capsules per day. The primary comparison between the capsules and cartons is the level of O3FAs within the blood after 8 weeks. Other areas under investigation include the acceptability and tolerability of both types of O3FA supplement, the effects on cognitive performance (memory and reaction time) and the effect of O3FA supplementation on the bacteria found within the gut. Who can participate? Healthy volunteers aged 50 or over. What does the study involve? Participants will be asked to take the O3FA-containing capsules and Smartfish NFCax drinks separately during two separate 8 week intervention periods. There will be a 12 week 'washout' period at the end of each intervention period during participants will not take any supplements. Participants will be asked to attend the Human Appetite Research Unit (HARU) at the University of Leeds on five separate occasions at which they will provide blood and urine samples and will also be asked to complete computerised cognitive tests. Prior to each visit participants will be asked to submit a stool sample for analysis. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Although participants are unlikely to directly benefit from taking part in the study, scientific evidence suggests O3FAs are associated with improved cognitive performance, maintenance of a healthy heart and even possible anti-cancer effects. Omega-3 fatty acids are ‘over the counter’ nutritional supplements with few side-effects and therefore there is minimal risk associated with taking part in the study. Where is the study run from? Human Appetite Research Unit (HARU) at the University of Leeds (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? October 2014 to March 2016 Who is funding the study? Smartfish (UK) Who is the main contact? Professor Mark Hull [email protected]

Inclusion criteria

• This is a healthy volunteer study

Links

• isrctn
• ictrp