Antiretrovirals and HIV: Omega-3s reduce triglycerides without side effects
Antiretrovirals and HIV: Lower Triglycerides with Omega-3 Supplements
The Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) significantly reduce triglyceride levels in HIV patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy, without serious side effects.
This news was published in Clinical Therapeutics and opens new possibilities for managing this common issue in people living with the virus.
HIV and Triglycerides: The Cardiovascular Risk Problem
HIV patients (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) treated with high doses of antiretroviral drugs often have elevated blood triglyceride levels. When triglyceride concentrations exceed 200 milligrams per deciliter, the condition is called hypertriglyceridemia, a known risk factor for heart health. High triglyceride levels increase the likelihood of:
- thrombosis
- coronary artery disease
- angina pectoris
- heart attack
This risk increases considerably when, in addition to high triglycerides, levels of the so-called “bad” cholesterol are elevated and “good” cholesterol levels are low.
Omega-3 Protect the Heart and Blood Vessels
The heart health benefits of Omega-3 are well known: these fatty acids may also help HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy manage their blood triglyceride levels. Found abundantly in fatty fish and also available as supplements, these nutrients can reduce excess triglycerides. At the same time, Omega-3 intake raises “good” cholesterol levels and improves cardiovascular risk profiles.
Effective Nutrients in the Fight Against HIV
To test this, researchers at King’s College London (UK) gave 23 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy the two Omega-3 fatty acids effective in reducing triglycerides: EPA and DHA. For comparison, 25 other patients received a placebo. Both groups continued the regimen for 12 weeks, during which the Omega-3 group took daily 460 mg of DHA and 380 mg of EPA. Initial triglyceride levels ranged from 156.64 to 943.4 mg/dL in the Omega-3 group and 161.09 to 546.46 mg/dL in the placebo group. During the trial, none of the participants were allowed to take statins, the preferred drugs for treating high “bad” cholesterol. However, all patients took fibrates, first-choice medications to combat hypertriglyceridemia. The results were very encouraging: while triglyceride levels in the placebo group increased by 36.49 mg/dL after 12 weeks, the Omega-3 group saw a mean reduction of 155.75 mg/dL, ranging between 6.53% and 69.48%.
Important Help Without Side Effects
This important result was not associated with any serious side effects. No patient receiving Omega-3 therapy showed changes in viral activity. Other observed issues were mild or moderate, including nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence. Based on these findings, Omega-3s could be an effective, side-effect-free complementary therapy for the care of patients with HIV.
