Fish Oil Supplements May Not Benefits the Heart

A study released on Wednesday said it does not appear as though the fish oil pills full of omega-3 fatty acids have a significant effect on preventing strokes, heart attacks or death. The new results come as sales of the supplements with fish oil are booming. Americans in 2011 spent over $1.1 billion for the supplements, which was an increase of over 5% from sales in 2010.

Researchers in the recent study reviewed 20 clinical trials that studied the health outcomes of individuals taking the omega-3 fatty acid supplements that are derived from fish oils. The clinical trials were dated between 1989 and 2012.

They included over 68,680 people who had been studied for a minimum of one year. There was no significant association between cardiac-related deaths, heart attacks, sudden death, strokes and all deaths among those who took supplements. Evangelos Rizos, a University Hospital professor of medicine in Greece, led the review.

Long ago, it was noted by the medical world that societies whose diets had a high content of fatty fish like sardines, mackerel, salmon and others had a lower percentage rate of heart disease. A study in 1989 concluded that men who already suffered one heart attack and changed their diets to include more omega-3 rich fatty fish were less likely by 29% to die over the following two years.

Due to that finding and others, many medical groups suggested that people with a high risk for heart disease should increase their intake of fatty acid or take supplements containing omega-3.

Recent studies however, that looked at the omega-3 supplements were not as clear. Some refuted and some supported the findings, though the connection overall between lowered heart disease rates and the supplements was elusive.