This article contains findings obtained from research on animals:
- The results from animal research studies should not be directly applied to humans and the results may not generalise to the human population.
- There may be significant differences between species in terms of physiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as differences in the way diseases and treatments are modelled in animals.
- Any conclusions drawn from animal research should be considered with caution and in the context of other types of research studies such as observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews of the literature.
Insights & Discussion
Omega-3 fatty acids found in selected fish oils, particularly smoked eel, effectively managed dyslipidemia and reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors.
The study began by inducing dyslipidemia through a high fat diet in a mouse model. After 30 days of this diet, all animals displayed hyperlipidemia. Subsequently, the diet was switched to consist of 90% standard rodent chow and 10% oil derived from different fish varieties (eel, sardine, cod liver, trout). This diet was maintained for the next 60 days. Blood glucose, total blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein were quantified at the end of the study period. Additionally, the fish oils' omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid percentages and ratio were taken into account by using gas chromatography.
The results showed that incorporating fish oils in the diet considerably improved the hyperlipidemic state triggered by the high-fat diet. Specifically, eel and cod liver oil diets led to significant decreases in triglycerides. Meanwhile, all diets, apart from the standard rodent chow and sardine, resulted in noticeable decreases in blood glucose. Interestingly, smoked eel stood out as the best source for omega-3 fatty acids due to its optimal balance of omega-6 fatty acids, excellently alleviating the mixed hyperlipidemia induced by the high-fat diet.
Discover Related Insights
A one-year, sardine-enriched diet in an elderly population with pre-diabetes exerts a greater protective effect against developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events.
2021 Clinical Nutrition Type 2 diabetes preventive effects with a 12-months sardine-enriched diet in elderly population with prediabetes: An interventional, randomized and controlled trial Díaz-Rizzolo DA, Serra A, Colungo C, Sala-Vila A, Sisó-Almirall A, Gomis R
Randomised Controlled Trial Anti-Diabetic Sardine
Following the nutrition intervention, 29.6% of SG subjects had left the "very high" risk group (from 37.3% to 7.7%), while only 4.9% of CG subjects had managed to do so (from 27.3% to 22.4%), a finding which is significantly different.
Eating sardines twice a week for a year significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in prediabetic individuals aged 65 and above.
2021 Clinical Nutrition Type 2 diabetes preventive effects with a 12-months sardine-enriched diet in elderly population with prediabetes: An interventional, randomized and controlled trial Díaz-Rizzolo DA, Serra A, Colungo C, Sala-Vila A, Sisó-Almirall A, Gomis R
Randomised Controlled Trial Anti-Diabetic Sardine
In this study, 152 individuals with prediabetes and age 65 or older were chosen from three primary care centers in Barcelona. These subjects had a fasting glucose of 100-124 mg/dL. They were divided into two intervention groups: a control group (CG) and a sardine group (SG). While both groups were given the same nutritional diet to prevent type 2 diabetes for a year, the sardine group was instructed to include 200 grams of sardines in their diet every week. Data including fasting glucose levels, type of diet followed, and other demographic variables were collected before starting and after ending the diet.
After a year, the sardine group, when compared to the control group, showed significant reductions in the percentage of individuals classified as very high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The sardine group also showed improved health parameters such as increased HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin levels, decreased triglyceride levels, and slightly reduced blood pressure. Additionally, the consumption of sardine nutrients - omega-3, EPA and DHA, vitamin D, fluorine, and taurine - was significantly higher in the sardine group. Further, changes in erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were detected only in the sardine group, which included a decrease in 5 omega-6 fatty acids and an increase in 3 omega-3 fatty acid types.
Seasonal variations influence the nutrient composition of European sardines, with lipid levels peaking from July to September and amino acid content highest during winter.
2020 Foods Seasonal Changes in Free Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Compositions of Sardines, Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792): Implications for Nutrition Šimat V, Hamed I, Petričević S, Bogdanović T
Network Pharmacology Omega-3 Fatty Acids Sardine
The methodology consisted of analyzing the proximate composition of European sardines from the Adriatic Sea over a period of one year. The nutritional profiles, focusing on free amino acid and fatty acid, were quantified monthly to discern any seasonal variations. The study paid special attention to quantities of bioactive lipids such as omega-3 fatty acids, and essential amino acids, as these are crucial for determining the nourishing value of the sardines for both industrial processing and for health benefits to consumers.
The findings revealed that the nutritional content in sardines displays seasonal variation. The lipid content topped out from July to September, whereas the highest total amino acid content occurred during the winter, from January to March, with histidine, arginine, and threonine being most present. Interestingly, the study noted significant quantities of essential free amino acids throughout the year, with particular surges in March and dips in May. The fatty acid profile predominantly consisted of omega-3 fatty acids, with sardines showcasing high concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, which were especially abundant from July to September.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation during the prenatal and perinatal period could have a protective effect on neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD, ASD, and MDD in youth.
2020 Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience Nutritional Neuroscience as Mainstream of Psychiatry: The Evidence- Based Treatment Guidelines for Using Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a New Treatment for Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents Chang JPC, Su KP
Review Article ADHD Psychiatric Disorder Sardine
The research implemented supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids also known as Omega-3 PUFAs, in different quantities and durations to youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This was carried out based on suggested dosage and duration from various randomized controlled trials and systemic literature reviews. It was observed that omega-3 PUFAs were essential nutrients not just for physical health but also for mental health, more so during the prenatal and perinatal stages of development.
The results demonstrated that clinical symptoms improved in youth with ADHD, MDD and ASD after they were supplemented with Omega-3 PUFAs, especially in cases where there was high inflammation or low baseline Omega-3 index present. The research showed very promising evidence that Omega-3 PUFAs had positive effects on lethargy and hyperactivity symptoms in ASD. There was also an inclination that Omega-3 PUFAs levels and inflammation could be potential markers for treatment response in ADHD and MDD.
Adding fresh herbs like parsley and chives to air-fried sardines reduces the levels of harmful cholesterol oxidation products formed during cooking.
2017 Journal of Food Science Impact of Air Frying on Cholesterol and Fatty Acids Oxidation in Sardines: Protective Effects of Aromatic Herbs Ferreira FS, Sampaio GR, Keller LM, Sawaya ACHF, Chávez DWH, Torres EAFS, et al.
Clinical Study Sardine
To conduct this study, sardine fillets were air fried, a method considered healthier as it allows frying without oil. The research then revolved around the monitoring of two types of substances: cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), theorised to increase with the high heat, and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which typically decrease in such conditions.
In the analysis of the results, it was observed that, indeed, cooking through air frying escalated the levels of COPs while diminishing that of essential PUFAs. The experiment further introduced fresh herbs, namely parsley, chives and a mix of both, owing to their properties as natural antioxidants. This addition was observed to lower the levels of COPs formed, indicating a healthier outcome. Specifically, air-fried sardines with 4% cheiro-verde (the mixed herbs) offered the best protection against lipid or fat oxidation.
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