Unsaturated fatty acids improve atherosclerosis markers in obese and overweight non-diabetic elderly patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of replacing trans and saturated fats with unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to demonstrate the effect of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat supplementation on the biochemical and endothelial markers of atherosclerotic disease in obese or overweight non-diabetic elderly patients. METHOD: Seventy-nine patients were randomly divided into three groups flaxseed oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil; patients in each group received 30 mL of oil for 90 days. Patients were subjected to anthropometric and bioimpedance assessments; biochemical and endothelial evaluations were performed through ultrasonography of the brachial artery and carotid artery for endothelium-dependent dilation and intima-media thickness assessment, respectively, before and after the intervention. The participants' usual diet remained unchanged...