Omega-3 Supplementation for Tetraplegics With Poor Cholesterol Levels

University of Manitoba

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 4

Conditions: Tetraplegia; High LDL-c; Quadraplegia; Spinal Cord Injury; Low HDL-c

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 supplements

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01896037

HDL2013

Details and patient eligibility

About

People with a spinal cord injury (SCI) characteristically have low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c; "good cholesterol") and high levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c; "bad cholesterol"), and are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke, than the able-bodied population. A common way for able-bodied people to improve their lipid profile is through exercise; however, SCI people, especially tetraplegics, are often unable to achieve and maintain a level of exercise needed to obtain these benefits. It is therefore clinically important to find an effective, safe and inexpensive method of increasing HDL-c levels in people with chronic tetraplegia. This study will investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the lipid profile of people with tetraplegia. The investigators hypothesize that 5 months of daily consumption of high doses of omega-3 fatty acids will increase plasma levels of HDL-c in those with tetraplegia, leading to decreased risk of cardiovascular health issues.

Enrollment: 21 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Having chronic tetraplegia (at least on year since injury)
• 18 years or older
• Having below normal fasting blood plasma levels of HDL-c (<1 mmol/l)

Exclusion criteria

• Currently taking omega-3 supplements
• Currently taking medications for abnormal cholesterol
• Having a heart attack or stroke in the past one year

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

21 participants in 1 patient group

Omega-3 supplements

Experimental group

Description:

Daily omega-3 supplements of 600 mg EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and 300 mg DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) for 5 months.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Omega-3 supplements