Virtual non-compliance with Omega-3 treatment results in null effects: The RANGER study. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, William S.; Johnston, Daniel T.
• Is Part Of: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids. Volume 171(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Lipids -- Periodicals; Unsaturated fatty acids -- Periodicals; Prostaglandins -- Periodicals; Leukotrienes -- Periodicals; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated -- Periodicals; Acides gras insaturés -- Périodiques; Prostaglandines -- Périodiques; Leucotriènes -- Périodiques; Lipides -- Périodiques; 612.01577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102319
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3278

Abstract

Highlights: ISSFAL recommends that Omega-3 blood levels be reported in treatment studies. A recent study found no effect of Omega-3 on cognitive function in soldiers. Blood tests showed that the lack of effect was due to significant non-compliance. Studies that don't give a treatment should not expect to find an effect. Abstract: A recent paper reported that 14 weeks of treatment with 2100 mg of EPA+DHA from krill oil had no effect on cognitive function in US Army Ranger trainees. Although the authors stated that poor compliance "may have contributed to a failure to detect a response, " no indication of exactly how poor the compliance was is given. We have therefore calculated, based on their reported blood EPA+DHA levels and published equations predicting how a given dose of EPA+DHA should affect erythrocyte EPA+DHA levels (i.e., the Omega-3 Index), that the effective compliance was actually <3%. This study underscores the importance of adhering to ISSFAL recommendations that baseline and end of study blood Omega-3 levels always be reported in intervention studies. In this case the observed changes in blood levels are critical for interpreting the findings: there was no effect because there was essentially no intervention.