Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: ANGERER and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 87
Abstract
ANGERER and colleagues, Klinikum der Universität München, Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits- und Umweltmedizin-Innenstadt, Ziemssenstrasse 1, Germany, peter.angerer@arbeits.med.uni-muenchen.de, investigated the effects of 2 years of daily dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) extracted from fish oil on the progression of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery in patients with coronary heart disease.
Background
The investigators carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that examined the long-term effects of supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. As a sub-study within this trial, effects on carotid artery atherosclerosis progression were also investigated.
Methodology
Subjects were 223 patients with coronary artery disease. 2 years’ dietary supplementation with 1.65 g omega-3 PUFAs daily was compared with placebo treatment. The patients underwent a comprehensive clinical examination, coronary angiography and B-mode ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries (to measure intima media thickness) at the beginning and end of the study. The global change in carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated visually by an expert panel on a semi-quantitative scale. Change in overall mean maximum intima media thickness was also measured.
Results
171 patients completed the study. 38% of patients in the fish-oil group, compared with 35% in the placebo group, showed progression according to the global change score (no significant difference). The fish-oil group showed an increase in mean (SD) maximum intima media thickness of 0.070.13 mm, compared with an increase of 0.050.11 in the placebo group, (no significant difference). Changes in carotid arteries did not show any association with changes in coronary arteries.
Conclusion
Supplementation for 2 years with daily omega-3 PUFAs did not result in any slowing of the progression of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries measured by ultrasound in this group of selected patients with coronary artery disease.
References
Angerer P et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on progression of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries. Cardiovascular Research 54 (1): 183-90. Apr 2002. @i:80
