{
    "title": "EPAX Cetoleic 2040 reduces LDL-cholesterol in overweight adults, clinical trial finds",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-26 10:30:01",
    "published_at": "2026-05-26 10:30:00",
    "url": "https://epax.prezly.com/epax-cetoleic-2040-reduces-ldl-cholesterol-in-overweight-adults-clinical-trial-finds",
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    "subtitle": "PRESS RELEASE",
    "slug": "epax-cetoleic-2040-reduces-ldl-cholesterol-in-overweight-adults-clinical-trial-finds",
    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\"><span class=\"rls-date\">Tuesday, May 26, 2026</span></p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2db27f05-bc05-4b0f-b9ab-a6e4c1d4dfff/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                    srcset=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2db27f05-bc05-4b0f-b9ab-a6e4c1d4dfff/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/ 1x, https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2db27f05-bc05-4b0f-b9ab-a6e4c1d4dfff/-/resize/2400x/-/format/auto/ 2x\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"Supplementation with EPAX&amp;reg; Cetoleic 2040 reduced LDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese adults by 7% after eight weeks, a clinical study has found. Image credit: Epax Norway AS/Kristin St&amp;oslash;ylen\"\n                id=\"image-2db27f05-bc05-4b0f-b9ab-a6e4c1d4dfff\"\n                data-id=\"2db27f05-bc05-4b0f-b9ab-a6e4c1d4dfff\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2db27f05-bc05-4b0f-b9ab-a6e4c1d4dfff/-/inline/no/Image+credit+-+Epax+Norway+AS-Kristin+St%C3%B8ylenjpg.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2db27f05-bc05-4b0f-b9ab-a6e4c1d4dfff/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Supplementation with EPAX\u00ae Cetoleic 2040 reduced LDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese adults by 7% after eight weeks, a clinical study has found. Image credit: Epax Norway AS/Kristin St\u00f8ylen\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\">Supplementation with EPAX&reg; Cetoleic 2040 reduced LDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese adults by 7% after eight weeks, a clinical study has found. Image credit: Epax Norway AS/Kristin St&oslash;ylen</figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Supplementation with EPAX&reg; Cetoleic 2040, an Omega-9 Gondoic acid and Omega-11 Cetoleic acid oil, reduced LDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese adults by 7% after eight weeks, a clinical study has found. * </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Raised total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in particular, is associated with higher body fat percentage<sup>1</sup> and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD)<u>,</u><sup>2</sup> the world&rsquo;s leading cause of death.<sup>3</sup> Approximately 10% of adults have elevated total cholesterol levels.<sup>4</sup></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The new study is the first human study to evaluate the effects of the marine long-chain monounsatured fatty acids (LC-MUFAs) cetoleic and gondoic acid on LDL-cholesterol. The study was conducted by Professor Gudbrandsen of the University of Bergen, Norway, and builds on considerable pre-clinical data from the Bergen group as well as others. </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Eighty healthy, overweight and obese men and women (BMI&gt;25) were enrolled, and 75 completed the eight-week intervention. They were randomised to a 4g daily dose of either EPAX Cetoleic 2040, a cetoleic acid concentrate, or a control containing soyabean oil and Omega-3 PUFAs from anchovy oil. Both interventions had comparable levels of Omega-3, enabling the researchers to distinguish the effects of cetoleic acid concentrate from those of Omega-3.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">After eight weeks, there was a statistically significant 7% decrease in LDL-cholesterol from baseline in participants taking EPAX Cetoleic 2040 compared with the control group (p = 0.033). This reduction was not associated with any changes in body fat percentage. A 7% reduction in LDL-cholesterol achieved through dietary modification is estimated to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 15%.<sup>5</sup></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Regular consumption of marine fish and seafood is associated with reduced CVD risk, a relationship historically attributed to the Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) EPA and DHA. However, EPA and DHA have no cholesterol-lowering effects unless taken in very high doses. </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Oddrun Anita Gudbrandsen, Professor at the University of Bergen, said: &ldquo;We already have extensive preclinical evidence that demonstrate the benefit of long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids on cholesterol concentration. Our clinical trial in healthy adults with overweight or obesity showed that supplementation with cetoleic acid concentrate reduced the LDL-cholesterol by 7% which is estimated to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by around 15%. \u200b By reducing LDL-cholesterol, Epax&rsquo;s Omega-11 cetoleic concentrates have the potential to make a significant impact on cardiovascular health.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Thomas Gulbrandsen, Global Sales and Marketing Director, Epax Norway AS, said: &ldquo;The new study is testament to Epax&rsquo;s innovation strategy and underscores our commitment to clinically relevant, high-quality marine oils. It also supports oils in our EPAX&reg; NovusLipid category of next-generation marine lipids, including EPAX&reg; Omega 3-9-11 &ndash; the world&rsquo;s first commercially available LC-MUFA concentrate. Derived from pelagic fish from the North Atlantic, it offers a unique combination of Omegas 3, 9 and 11, supporting heart, metabolic, and skin health.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">*Hansen K, Mjaatveit MA, Andreassen LV, Mj&oslash;s SA and Gudbrandsen OA. Supplementation with a cetoleic acid concentrate decreased the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in healthy adults with overweight or obesity. A randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 2026 May 6:1-29. doi: 10.1017/S0007114526107375 </p><a href='https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e3f8c376-2cd8-4a83-81f0-86e50c970621/-/inline/no/image-credit-epax-norway-as-kristin-stoylenjpg.jpg' class='release-content-attachment' id='attachment-e3f8c376-2cd8-4a83-81f0-86e50c970621' data-type='attachment' data-track='Story File Download' data-placement='content' data-id='e3f8c376-2cd8-4a83-81f0-86e50c970621'>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__icon'>\n        <svg class=\"icon icon-download\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-download\"></use>\n            </svg>\n    </span>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__details'>\n        <strong class='release-content-attachment__title'>Image credit - Epax Norway AS-Kristin St&oslash;ylenjpg.jpg</strong>\n        <em class='release-content-attachment__subtitle'>9 MB</em>\n    </span>\n</a><a href='https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3e3882a9-854c-4296-a746-aafb1d573645/-/inline/no/press-release-epax-cetoleic-2040-reduces-ldl-cholesterol-in-overweight-adults.docx' class='release-content-attachment' id='attachment-3e3882a9-854c-4296-a746-aafb1d573645' data-type='attachment' data-track='Story File Download' data-placement='content' data-id='3e3882a9-854c-4296-a746-aafb1d573645'>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__icon'>\n        <svg class=\"icon icon-download\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-download\"></use>\n            </svg>\n    </span>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__details'>\n        <strong class='release-content-attachment__title'>Press release - EPAX Cetoleic 2040 reduces LDL-cholesterol in overweight adults.docx</strong>\n        <em class='release-content-attachment__subtitle'>79 KB</em>\n    </span>\n</a><a href='https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/7d3d9705-7543-4b08-8fbb-d734a7aeaccc/-/inline/no/press-release-epax-cetoleic-2040-reduces-ldl-cholesterol-in-overweight-adults.pdf' class='release-content-attachment' id='attachment-7d3d9705-7543-4b08-8fbb-d734a7aeaccc' data-type='attachment' data-track='Story File Download' data-placement='content' data-id='7d3d9705-7543-4b08-8fbb-d734a7aeaccc'>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__icon'>\n        <svg class=\"icon icon-download\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-download\"></use>\n            </svg>\n    </span>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__details'>\n        <strong class='release-content-attachment__title'>Press release - EPAX Cetoleic 2040 reduces LDL-cholesterol in overweight adults.pdf</strong>\n        <em class='release-content-attachment__subtitle'>174 KB</em>\n    </span>\n</a><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Epax Contact</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Sarah Christianslund<br>\u200b<a href=\"mailto:sarah.christianslund@pelagia.com\"><u>sarah.christianslund@pelagia.com</u></a><br>\u200b<strong>Tel. +</strong>47 70 135960</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Ingredient Communications Contact</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Richard Clarke<br>\u200brichard@ingredientcommunications.com</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Regulatory Note</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">This communication is intended for trade media. It does not constitute a consumer-facing health claim. Any benefits must be communicated in accordance with applicable regulations (EU/EFSA, US/FDA). These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>About Epax Norway AS</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Epax Norway AS is a leading developer and supplier of high-quality marine lipid concentrates. Since the early beginning in 1838, EPAX&reg; has pioneered innovations in long-chain fatty acids, combining rigorous science, responsible sourcing and advanced process technology. For more information, visit <strong>epax.com</strong> and follow <strong>Epax</strong> on LinkedIn.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><sup>1</sup> Sun J et al. The correlation of total percent fat with alterations in cholesterol and triglycerides in adults. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2022;9:881729</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><sup>2</sup> Prospective Studies Collaboration. Blood cholesterol and vascular mortality by age, sex, and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of individual data from 61 prospective studies with 55,000 vascular deaths. Lancet, 2007;370:1829-1839</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><sup>3</sup> World Heart Report 2023: Confronting the World&rsquo;s Number One Killer. Geneva, Switzerland. World Heart Federation. 2023</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><sup>4</sup> CDC, High Cholesterol Facts, 2024 </p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><sup>5</sup> The Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial results. II. The relationship of reduction in incidence of coronary heart disease to cholesterol lowering. JAMA, 1984;251:365-374</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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