STUDY: OMEGA-3S WILL NOT REDUCE CVD RISK

New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation does not appear to reduce the risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events.

Researchers at the University Hospital of Ioannina conducted a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and major cardiovascular outcomes. Of the 3,635 citations retrieved, 20 studies with 68,680 randomized patients were included, reporting 7,044 deaths; 3,993 cardiac deaths; 1,150 sudden deaths; 1,837 heart attacks; and 1,490 strokes.

The researchers found no statistically significant association with all-cause mortality, cardiac death, sudden death, heart attack and stroke when all supplement studies were considered.

“In conclusion, omega-3 PUFAs are not statistically significantly associated with major cardiovascular outcomes across various patient populations," they said, adding their findings do not justify the use of omega-3 as a structured intervention in everyday clinical practice or guidelines supporting dietary omega-3 PUFA administration.

Harry B. Rice, Ph.D., vice president, regulatory and scientific affairs, Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), said decades’ worth of high-quality research showing the positive effects of omega-3s on heart health should not be negated every time a neutral or negative study is published.

“There’s little doubt in my mind that consumers should take EPA and DHA for heart health," he said. “Several neutral studies, whether they are clinical trials or meta-analyses, don’t begin to make a dent in the totality of the available scientific evidence demonstrating a role for EPA and DHA in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The supporting body of literature is immense and continues to grow annually."

Commenting on the meta-analysis, Duffy MacKay N.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), issued a statement that said: “Consumers should not discount the many proven benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in all stages of life. There is extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the importance of omega-3 fats during pregnancy/lactation, breastfeeding and childhood. Furthermore, omega-3 fats have a role in maintaining the health of adults as well as in the prevention of age-related chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline). This study does not change the current recommendations by authoritative bodies such as the World Health Organization, American Heart Association and the U.S. National Academies of Science, who recommend adequate consumption of omega-3 fats."