Reported on in the LA Times, August 27, 2010 edition mentions a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concerning the benefits of fish oil.
The study showed that fish consumption (thus fish oils or omega 3 fatty acids) were not very beneficial in patients who already suffered heart attacks. Fish did not significantly reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular events by eating about 400 mg of fish fatty acids per day. However, the supplement did help those patients who had a past heart attack and were also diabetic. So are all the benefits of fish oil just hype? Is it worth taking fish oil?
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Fish oil (omega 3 oil or flaxseed oil) is the one supplement you should take, and these supplements will benefit just about anyone and should be taken by most people. The problem with the reults of the study is more the design of the study. These patients already had coronary heart disease and prior heart attacks. Most patients after a heart attack are placed on multple risk altering drugs like statins, niacin, aspirin, beta blockers, aspirin and perhaps Plavix. With this vigorous regimen, the additional benefits from fish oil may be hard to see but are definitelty there.
Although omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from sources other than fish oil, the most beneficial forms are only available in fish oil. Docosehexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) are long chained fatty acids which cannot be found in any other source.
Omega-3 can be included in the diet by eating fatty fish (such as salmon) three times a week.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Fish oil (omega 3 oil or flaxseed oil) is the one supplement you should take, and these supplements will benefit just about anyone and should be taken by most people. The problem with the reults of the study is more the design of the study. These patients already had coronary heart disease and prior heart attacks. Most patients after a heart attack are placed on multple risk altering drugs like statins, niacin, aspirin, beta blockers, aspirin and perhaps Plavix. With this vigorous regimen, the additional benefits from fish oil may be hard to see but are definitelty there.
Substantial research prove fish oil may prevent cardiovascular disease through various mechanisms:
Clinical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids:
Clinical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids:
Reduce the rate at which atherosclerotic plaque developes
Helps to prevent thrombosis (blood clotting in blood vessels).
Lower triglyceride levels. Raise HDL cholesterol slightly.
Lower blood pressure
Reduce the risk of arrhythmias which increase the risk of cardiac arrest.
Improves endothelial function which supports the growth of new blood cells.
Although omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from sources other than fish oil, the most beneficial forms are only available in fish oil. Docosehexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) are long chained fatty acids which cannot be found in any other source.
Omega-3 can be included in the diet by eating fatty fish (such as salmon) three times a week.
Fish oil supplements, starting 2,000mg day would be benficial for most people if no contraindications.
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