The nutritional benefits of omega-3 fish oil supplements may not prevent strokes, but they may lower the risk of a heart attack. Although previous studies showed mixed results, a new, larger analysis of data seems to point to the idea that taking omega-3 fish oil daily may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
A significantly larger pool
A recent paper published in the Journal of the American Heart Association includes a study of data from more than 125,000 people and 13 trials. For the 127,477 participants:
- The average age was 64 years at baseline.
- 60% were male.
- The average BMI was 28.
- The average duration of taking supplements was 5 years.
- Most of the trials used a dose of 850 mg/day or higher.
The research discovered an 8% reduction of risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, death from coronary heart disease and death from cardiovascular disease among people who omega-3 fish oil supplements compared to the placebo. The omega-3 dose ranged from 376 mg/day to 4,000 mg/day and the scientists found that anything above 840 mg/day could lead to an even greater reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease.
As the researchers pointed out, even a small risk reduction could make a big impact on the population as cardiovascular events affect millions of people around the globe each year.
Understanding omega-3 fatty acids
There are two main types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): omega-3 and omega-6.
These PUFAs help make up the fat molecules that form cell walls, produce energy and make eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are molecules that perform important functions in the cardiovascular system.
Of the 3 types of omega-3 fatty acids the researchers studied, ALA, DHA and EPA, only the latter two can be made by our bodies. Even then, the amounts are so small that we have to get DHA and EPA from our food or supplements.
