Study Shows Fish Oil Improves Cholesterol Levels

Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in New Zealand accounting for 40% of deaths annually. In other words every 90 minutes a Kiwi dies from coronary heart disease – that’s 16 deaths a day! Further still 1 in 20 New Zealand adults have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease.

A high percentage of cardiovascular disease can be linked to high cholesterol, in particularly high LDL cholesterol or the ‘bad’ cholesterol. An unbalanced diet high in saturated fats is the main cause of high LDL levels.

There are over 3 dozen clinical studies that have shown that the essential fatty acids EPA & DHA in fish oil (the ‘good’ fats) can support a healthy heart by reducing triglycerides and increasing the ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL).

According to a study published in the January/February 2009 issue of Sports Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach, fish oil given to professional NFL football players (the Pittsburg Steelers) has proven to be effective for lowering cholesterol levels.

A fish oil supplement was administered to 36 players from ages 23 to 41 years of age that volunteered to be randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group in the study. Players were grouped according to BMI (body mass index) and position played. A physical assessment and baseline cholesterol tests were given to directly measure LDL, HDL and other fat lipid concentrations in the blood.

The research team chose Ultimate Omega from Nordic Naturals. During the two month period of the 2006-07 NFL football season, subjects in the treatment group were given four soft gels per day of Ultimate Omega, which provided 2200mg of omega-3 fatty acids (or 1300mg EPA & 900mg DHA).

“The results illustrated a rather dramatic decrease in triglyceride levels, a healthy increase in HDL, and lowered LDL in the athletes who used a moderately high dose of omega-3 EFA fish oil,” relates Joseph Maroon, MD, a board certified neurosurgeon who serves on the Nordic Naturals Scientific Advisory Board and was one of the study researchers.

In order to lower the risk of coronary heart disease one of the recommendations from the Heart Foundation is to consume 500mg of fish oil per day or combination of EPA & DHA. For health professionals dealing with patients with more acute issues the recommendation is for them to consume between 1000mg and 4000mg per day of EPA & DHA.

Dr Kamal Karl, Integrative Practitioner from HB Wellness Centre in Napier and Auckland has always recommended using high doses of EPA and DHA Fish oils for improving cardiac health. “Research shows that Fish Oils have a positive association for increasing the good cholesterol HDL, and lowering of Triglycerides significantly.

“Fish oil also achieves modest reduction in the bad cholesterol LDL and importantly improves blood flow by making the blood thinner like aspirin in a natural way. However, it is imperative to supplement with the correct doses of the highest quality fish oils from manufacturers like Nordic Naturals to avoid problems associated with poor quality fish oils which maybe rancid or contain higher amounts of impurities,” said Dr Karl.

The supplement used by the NFL football players in the study was:

Ultimate Omega For high intensity therapeutic support Ultimate Omega is a double strength EPA & DHA formula for more omega-3 benefits in fewer servings.

Supports healthy heart, brain, joints & mood

Total Omega 3’s per serving (2 soft gels) 1280mg
EPA 650mg
DHA 450mg
Other Omega-3’s 180mg




Notes to Editor

Ultimate Omega includes purified fish oil from anchovies and sardines sustainably caught in the waters of the South Pacific. Nordic Naturals’ policy is to harvest 100% of its fish in compliance with the Norwegian fisheries management system, which has been a model for the sustainable harvest of marine life for nearly 30 years. For more information about the company’s commitment to green and socially responsible initiatives, please visit www.planetnordic.com.

Nordic Naturals, the industry leader in omega-3 fish oil, has received the coveted Manufacturer of the Year Award for 2010 from Vitamin Retailer Magazine (VRM), one of the leading US trade publications in the natural products industry. The award is based on several considerations including product quality, innovation, industry leadership and retailer support.

Since 1995, Nordic Naturals has been the industry leader in fish oil supplementation, setting standards of excellence in the areas of purity, freshness, taste, and sustainability. With a reputation for efficacy and potency, Nordic Naturals fish oils and EFA blends are regularly chosen by independent research institutions and universities with, 13 published scientific studies already completed and more than 30 currently underway. Distributing to over 20 countries on 6 continents, Nordic Naturals offers over 150 products in a variety of flavors, concentrations, and delivery forms. Nordic Naturals continues to deliver on its promise of innovation and quality you can trust. For information, call NZ 0800 439 631 or visit www.nordicnaturals.com.


Hay, D. 2004. Cardiovascular Disease in New Zealand. 2004.
A Summary of Recent Statistical Information. National Heart Foundation of New Zealand.
Ministry of Health. 2008. Portrait of Health. Key Results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey. Wellington: Ministry of Health.

Australian Heart Foundation

Yates A, Norwig J, Maroon J, Bost J, et al. Evaluation of lipid profiles, inflammatory markers and the use of Omega-3 EFA in Professional Football Players. Sports Health 2009;1;1 21-30