Fish Oils good for heart health

The recent meta-analysis published in the BMJ covered 89 studies the majority of which confirmed the Heart Health benefits of Long Chain Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil.

Furthermore the body of international evidence dates back nearly 30 years and demonstrates the value of the marine-sourced Omega-3 nutrients for heart health protection. It is so compelling that the UK Government and the FDA in the USA want to ensure an adequate intake either of oily fish or fish oil supplements ^1,2 - both amongst the population at large and amongst people at risk.  The medical profession is also convinced and prescribes fish oil supplements for the treatment of people at high risk of a heart attack either due to raised triglyceride levels or as a result of a previous heart attack.

The current meta-analysis published in the BMJ includes one particular study, which is so out of step with the evidence supporting the heart health benefits of oily fish or fish oil consumption established by other larger trials^3-17 that the author has himself questioned the outcome.

Perhaps the most likely explanation for the results in this one-off study, which comes amongst many positive trials, is risk compensation behaviour, i.e. patients who were taking capsules to protect their heart modified other parts of their lifestyle in a negative way, e.g. starting smoking again, little exercise, or eating a poor diet.

Until investigations are completed, the consensus of advice from specialists in nutrition and heart health is that the population at large should continue to ensure intake of the essential omega-3 fatty acids either by eating at least one oily fish meal a week or taking a fish oil supplement. People being treated for high triglycerides and/or who have already suffered a heart attack should adhere to medical advice, which may include taking prescription fish oils.

Tom Sanders, Professor of Nutrition, King's College, London comments: "It is disappointing that when the vast majority of the evidence points to the positive benefits of Omega-3 Fish Oils for heart, that one review paper can cause so much concern amongst consumers."

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