Comparative study of fish oil and garlic oil supplementation on anthropometric and lipid profile of subjects at risk of coronary heart disease

Sixty males belonging to middle and high soico-economic status at risk of developing coronary heart disease were selected. The study was conducted in three phases. In phase I anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were recorded, blood glucose and blood lipid profile of subjects was analysed. Subjects were followed for one month and no treatment was given except prescribed medicines and were treated as self control. At one month interval above parameters were again recorded and subjects were divided into two groups of 30 each. In phase II supplementation with fish oil capsules, containing 300mg of cod liver oil (100 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA) thrice a day was done in group I and with garlic oil capsules 250 mg having 18 per cent of allicin twice a day in group II was done for a period of two months. In Phase III, all the above parameters were recorded. Data revealed that there was a significant decrease in weight, BMI, W: H, MUAC, TSFT, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides and significant increase in HDL-C in both the groups. Percentage decline of 2.7 in total cholesterol was however more in fish oil supplementation group as compared to garlic supplementation group.