don't count on fish oil to protect your heart

the global market for omega-3 supplements may be a whopping $2.56 billion us, but a new trial is calling into question whether swallowing capsules or gulping fish oil can actually do much to help prevent heart issues.

in 2017, a science advisory from the american heart association said that omega-3 fish oil supplements provide some benefit after heart attack or heart failure. however, many adults take the supplements as a preventative measure, though as harvard health notes , “the impact of fish oil supplements on preventing a first heart attack or stroke (primary prevention) was never clearly demonstrated.”

at the american heart association’s scientific sessions 2020, researchers presented the findings of an international phase iii study involving 13,078 adults in 22 countries. the study started in 2014 with regular follow-ups for the participants, all of whom were at increased risk of heart disease because of diabetes or lifestyle risks, were taking cholesterol-lowering statins or had blockages to the heart, brain or legs.

although the supplements appear not to have preventative benefits, that doesn’t mean you should cross fish off the menu. penn medicine notes that “some studies have shown greater benefit from getting omega-3s from food as opposed to supplements.”

writing in harvard health 2013, dr. howard lewine also pointed out that “how food, and its component molecules, affect the body is largely a mystery. that makes the use of supplements for anything other than treating a deficiency questionable …  it’s more than likely that you need the entire orchestra of fish fats, vitamins, minerals, and supporting molecules, rather than the lone notes of epa and dha.”

the american heart association recommends eating two servings of fish per week, especially fatty fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna. in general, the association says fish, poultry and beans are better for your health than red meat since they tend to have less saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol.

canada’s heart and stroke foundation also notes that cold water fish, such as mackerel, sardines, herring, rainbow trout and salmon, are a great source of omega-3 fat, “which can help prevent clotting of blood, reducing the risk of stroke and also helps lower triglycerides, a type of blood fat linked to heart disease.”

share story

share this story

don't count on fish oil to protect your heart

email

facebook

x

linkedin

copy story link