Daily Fish Oil Supplement May Not Help Your Heart: Studies

[steve2470]

http://www.philly.com/philly/health/hearthealth/HealthDay685879_20140317_Daily_Fish_Oil_Supplement_May_Not_Help_Your_Heart__Studies.html

MONDAY, March 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- People who take fish oil capsules may not be getting the heart-health benefits they desired, according to a pair of new research reports.

Both studies found that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements do not provide any significant protection against heart disease, when compared to other types of dietary fats.

"Looking at the 17 randomized clinical trials that we combined, the majority of the trials -- especially the more recent and large-scale ones -- showed consistently little or no significant effect on reducing coronary heart disease events," said Dr. Rajiv Chowdhury, lead author of a comprehensive review of nutrition research related to fats.

Of the range of fats studied, only trans fats showed a clear negative effect on heart health, according to the review published in the March 18 Annals of Internal Medicine by Chowdhury, a cardiovascular epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, and colleagues.

*end*

Looks like I need to toss the omega-3 pills I've been taking, sigh.

[Xipe Totec]

1. when compared to other types of dietary fats...

As opposed to comparing it to no supplements at all.

[Contrary1]

2. "...may not help"

In other words, inconclusive.

[demigoddess]

3. I heard that and gave it up for a while

began taking it again because my memory seems better when I am taking it and lousy when I am not.

[LeftofObama]

4. I've been taking 2000mg every night before bed for about 4 years now.

I had a heart attack in Jan., 2010 and started taking fish oil immediately after. I started running again about a year after my heart attack and I'm running my first half marathon in April. If fish oil didn't help, it certainly didn't hurt.

[NOVA_Dem]

5. There seems to be a lot of meta-analysis studies in the news lately.

Is there an issue with researchers conducting their own studies of these questions? I don't know about heart disease benefits but my DHA capsules assist with my circulation issues.

[LongTomH]

6. I'd wait for these studies to be replicated before giving up the supplements.

I'm taking fish oil on doctor's recommendation.

[blogslut]

7. I started taking fish oil for my digestive problems

I've been taking fish oil, acidophilus and papaya enzyme for two months now and am quite happy with the results. I hear fish oil is also good for joints.