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HowToPreventHeartDisease.com |
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Can Fish Oil Prevent Heart Disease? The 3 main omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA is found mainly in plant oils such as flaxseed, soybean, and canola oils. DHA and EPA can be found in cold-water fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines and other seafood. For people who do not like fish can acquire DHA and EPA from fish oil supplements. Numerous studies on fish oil indicated that its omega-3 fatty acids may help manage blood pressure, reduce triglycerides and the chance of abnormal heart rhythm, lower the likelihood of heart attack and stroke, and lessen the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart disease. A study, for instance, found a link between high Omega-3 Index and low blood pressure levels. Compared with individuals who had low Omega-3 Index levels, individuals who had the highest Omega-3 Index levels had a systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) that was 4 and 2 mmHg lower, respectively. The conclusion drawn by researchers in the paper published in July 2018 in journal ‘Hypertension’ is that diets rich in omega-3s EPA and DHA could be an effective strategy to prevent high blood pressure in healthy adults.
Because of the general belief that fish oil is
good for the heart, it has long been a popular supplement to protect against
heart disease. Some doctors even recommend it as part of a healthy diet. In the
United States, more than 18 million adults consume fish oil supplements,
according to data collected as part of the National Health Interview Survey
published in February 2015 in the National Health Statistics Report.
Recently, there is a breakthrough in fish oil research. In September 2018, a biopharmaceutical company Amarin that develops and markets drugs to treat cardiovascular disease announced early research findings indicating that its prescription fish oil medication Vascepa may lower the rate of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events by 25 percent in patients with heart disease or Type-2 diabetes who are already taking statins to lower their cholesterol levels. The findings were later published November 10, 2018 in the ‘New England Journal of Medicine’. Does this mean that doctors can then prescribe the fish oil drug to their patients for heart disease prevention? The answer is probably no, according to most doctors and health experts. But why? Until now, most of the clinical trials that examined the effect of fish oil in heart disease patients could not provide conclusive evidence that it really helps. And there is also some research that reported controversial results. For example, the latest study that was also published November 10, 2018 in the ‘New England Journal of Medicine’ suggested that healthy older people who took over-the-counter fish oil supplements, specifically omega-3 fatty acids did not lower heart disease risk. Moreover, although the findings of Vascepa trial seems encouraging, it also raises many doubts. It is not easy for doctors to simply recommend to all their patients as the cost is high: a month’s supply of Vascepa retails for about US$280. Some fish oil supplements that have similar amount of EPA cost much lower. Furthermore, there are doubts about the way the study was conducted. Firstly, the placebos used are supposed to act neutrally but instead, mineral oil pills were used as placebos in the study. Secondly, the trial focused on patients who had high triglyceride levels, a history of heart disease or another elevated risk, and were already taking statins. This means the benefits are only focused on a specific population. Perhaps, it is best that more independent research to be carried out to ascertain the effect of the medication before doctors are confident to prescribe such drug to their patients. While fish oil should be safe for most people when taken in low dose (less than 3 grams a day). Taking more than 3 grams a day might keep blood from clotting and can raise the chance of bleeding. High doses of fish oil might also lower the immune system’s activity, reducing the body’s ability to fight infection. Hence, people can only take high doses of fish oil under strict medical supervision.
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