Omega-3 and fish oil supplements are "useless" in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and other fatal cardiovascular ailments – and health-conscious consumers are better off just buying vegetables, according to a new expansive overview of medical evidence on the popular capsules, The Times of London reported.
Past research had suggested that oily fish helped protect the brain and heart, creating an impressive over-the-counter market for omega-3 fats supplements, the Times said. Researchers in the new study now say that the supplements are a waste of money.
The University of Anglia’s Cochrane review combined the results of 79 different trials with 112,059 total participants. The studies looked at the effects of consuming additional omega-3 fats compared to usual or lower omega-3 amounts on heart disease and circulation.
Participants from North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia were randomly assigned to increase their omega-3 fats or to maintain their usual intake of fat for at least a year.
The Guardian reported that the fish oil supplements made no difference to the risk of death or heart attacks or strokes, according to Cochrane researchers. Eating more supplemented margarine or walnuts did convey a small benefit, but the reduction in cardiovascular events was very small.
"The findings of this review go against the popular belief that long-chain omega-3 supplements, including fish oils, protect the heart," said lead author Dr. Lee Hooper, at the University of Anglia's Norwich Medical School.
"This large systematic review included information from many thousands of people over long periods. Despite all this information, we don't see protective effects."
Omega-3 is a type of fat that in small amounts are essential for good health but can be found in numerous foods. The main types of omega-3 fatty acids are alphalinolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
ALA is normally found in fats from plant foods, such as nuts and seeds, and walnuts and rapeseed provide rich sources. EPA and DHA, collectively called long chain omega 3 fats, are naturally found in fatty fish, such as salmon and fish oils including cod liver oil, according to the university.
"Previous experience has shown that although some types of diet are linked to lower risk of heart disease, when we try to identify the beneficial element of the diet and give it as a supplement it generally has little or no benefit," Tim Chico, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Sheffield University, told The Guardian.
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