Preliminary evidence that acute long-chain omega-3 supplementation reduces cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress: a randomized and placebo controlled trial
Preliminary evidence that acute long-chain omega-3 supplementation reduces cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress: a randomized and placebo controlled trial
Ginty et al., 2012 | Biol Psychol | Rct
Citation
Ginty Annie T, Conklin Sarah M. Preliminary evidence that acute long-chain omega-3 supplementation reduces cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress: a randomized and placebo controlled trial. Biol Psychol. 2012-Jan;89(1):269-72. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.09.012
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Some evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids improve cardiovascular function. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of an acute low dose of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids on young, healthy individuals. METHODS: Participants (n=34) were randomly assigned to either 21-days of omega-3 fatty acids (1.4 g EPA and DHA) or matched placebo. Cardiovascular measurements were obtained in the laboratory during baseline and during a standard mental arithmetic task, where participants were instructed to engage in serial subtractions by 17s from a four-digit number and cardiovascular reactivity to the task was calculated. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure reactivity was significantly reduced by supplementation (F(1,32)=5. 12, p=.03, η(2)=.144) but not by placebo. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce cardiovascular reactivity to stress.
Key Findings
Mean arterial pressure reactivity was significantly reduced by supplementation (F(1,32)=5. 12, p=.03, η(2)=.144) but not by placebo.
Outcomes Measured
- Requires manual extraction
Population
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | See abstract |
| Sample Size | 34 |
| Age Range | See abstract |
| Condition | stress |
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Analysis of Variance
- Blood Pressure
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Dietary Supplements
- Docosahexaenoic Acids
- Double-Blind Method
- Fatty Acids, Omega-3
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Heart Rate
- Humans
- Male
- Mathematics
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Stress, Psychological
- Young Adult
Evidence Classification
- Level: Rct
- Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Vertical: omega-3-cardiovascular
Provenance
- PMID: 21967854
- DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.09.012
- PMCID: Not in PMC
- Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API
Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09