A novel omega-3 glyceride mixture enhances enrichment of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid after single dosing in healthy older adults: results from a double-blind crossover trial.

A glyceride mix of mono, di, and triglycerides increases solubilisation and enhances emulsification of omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acid (FA) containing lipids in the stomach. This allows for better access of digestive enzymes, pivotal for the release of bioactive ω-3 FA.The objective was to compare the effect of a glyceride formulation and an ethyl ester (EE) formulation of EPA+DHA on concentrations of EPA and DHA in plasma following single dosing.We conducted a double-blind crossover trial in which twenty healthy adults aged 50-70 y consumed a single dose (2.8 g EPA+DHA) of each EPA+DHA formulation without a meal in random order separated by a two-week wash out period. EPA and DHA were measured in plasma total lipid over the following 12 h.EPA and DHA in plasma total lipid increased over 12 h with both formulations. A 10 x greater Δ concentration of EPA, 3 x greater Δ concentration of DHA, and 5 x greater Δ concentration of EPA+DHA was seen with the glyceride-EPA+DHA. The time at which the maximal concentrations of ω-3 FA occurred was 4 h earlier for EPA, 1 h earlier for DHA, and 2 h earlier for EPA+DHA when consuming glyceride-EPA+DHA.A mix of mono, di, and triglycerides results in greater and faster incorporation of EPA and DHA into blood plasma lipid in the absence of a fatty meal. This may provide benefit to individuals on a low fat diet or with digestive impairments and could result in greater efficacy in clinical trials using ω-3 FA.