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Fish Oil Supplements Do Not Protect Heart
Fish oil supplements do not protect against cardiac events or atrial fibrillation, according to new research presented last week at the virtual American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Data from the VITAL Rhythm Trial found no difference in risk for irregular heartbeat in participants who took omega-3 fatty acid supplements compared with those who took placebos. Other results from the OMEMI trial showed no benefit for supplementation against stroke, heart attack, or death from bypass surgery among elderly participants who either experienced a heart attack or who were at greater risk for a cardiac event. Lastly, data from the STRENGTH trial showed no protective effect against heart disease from fish oil supplements in those with an increased risk for heart disease or preexisting arterial blockages.
These findings support previous research that showed omega-3 supplementation did not reduce the risk for cardiovascular events in those with type 2 diabetes.
References
- Cook NR, Pester J, Moorthy V, et al. The Vital Rhythm Trial: Omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D supplementation in the primary prevention of atrial fibrillation. Presented at: American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2020 virtual meeting; November 13-17, 2020; Virtual meeting.
- Nicholls SJ, Garcia M, Bash D, et al. STRENGTH Trial: cardiovascular outcomes with omega-3 carboxylic acids (Epanova) in patients with high vascular risk and atherogenic dyslipidemia. Presented at: American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2020 virtual meeting; November 13-17, 2020; Virtual meeting.
- Myhre PL, Tveit SH, Laake K, et al. Effects of N-3 fatty acid supplements on clinical outcome after myocardial infarction in the elderly: Results of the Omemi Trial. Presented at: American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2020 virtual meeting; November 13-17, 2020; Virtual meeting.
- Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, et al. Omega 3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;7(7):CD003177-CD003921. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub3.
- The ASCEND Study Collaborative Group. Effects of n−3 fatty acid supplements in diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(16):1540-1550. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1804989.
