Are you taking fish oil supplements for its heart healthy omega-3 benefits? A new review of previously published studies says it may not be as beneficial as we think, at least not for people who have already had a heart attack or stroke.
The review, which appears in the Archives of Internal Medicine, analyzed 14 clinical trials that included more than 20,000 people with a history of cardiovascular disease. After reviewing and re-analyzing the trial data, researchers did not find any differences in the risk of new cardiac events in people taking fish oil supplements versus placebo.
Lead author Seung-Kwon Myung says, “There is no evidence that omega-3 supplementation is effective for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.”
Earlier reviews have found that fish oil supplements reduce heart-related death risk by 13% compared to placebo, but Myung and his colleagues found no such association; it did not reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death, heart attack (both fatal and nonfatal), heart-related chest pain, heart failure, or stroke.
But don’t rule fish oil out just yet. Other researchers point out that most of the trials analyzed included fewer than 500 participants, and lasted less than two years. Some trials also used relatively low doses of fish oil EPA, while some patients were taking prescription medications that could have disguised the benefits of fish oil entirely.
Bottom line: Nothing has been proven yet. More research is needed, but in the meantime, try and get your omega-3s directly from fatty fish like salmon and tuna, at least twice a week. It’s best to go for the natural food source than supplements, says Myung. But always talk to your doctor first to address any concerns you may have.
