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Epidemiologic studies have shown an association between dietary fish oil and decreased risk of coronary disease. This benefit may stem from fish oil's high proportion of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, but these fatty acids can also cause problems in platelet function. These authors report an unexpected side effect that may complicate the use of fish oil supplementation.
Eleven adolescents (ages, 11 to 21 years) with type II familial hyperlipoproteinemia were given fish oil supplements (1 g/day, increasing gradually to 5 g/day) in an attempt to reduce their plasma lipid levels below those already achieved with a modified diet and (in two cases) colestipol. The fish oil had no statistically significant effect on plasma lipids, but eight …