NCT01896037

Omega-3 Supplementation for Tetraplegics With Poor Cholesterol Levels

Omega-3 Supplementation to Increase HDL-c Levels in Those With Tetraplegia

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 21 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Manitoba · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Spinal Cord Injury
• Tetraplegia
• Quadraplegia
• Low HDL-c
• High LDL-c

Interventions

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

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-07-01
• Primary completion: 2017-01-28
• Completion: 2017-03-28
• First posted: 2013-07-11
• Last updated: 2017-05-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada