Positive Health Online

Abstract

DINICOLANTONIO and COLLEAGUES,  Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, USA. jjdinicol@gmail.com , Heart Hospital, University College London Hospitals UCLH, London-UK., Mid America Heart institute at Saint Luke's Hospital and University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, USA reviewed the evidence for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in reduction of major coronary heart disease (CHD) events, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and stroke.

Background

Multiple trials over the past two decades testing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have shown substantial benefits for reducing major coronary heart disease (CHD) events, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and stroke.

Methodology

However, recent trials testing omega-3s have generally failed to confirm these benefits.

Results

While increased fish and fish oil intake among the general population, increased use of optimal medical therapy (including statins, aspirin, and modern antihypertensive medications) probably make it more challenging for fish oil supplementation to show additional benefits, there might be further explanations in the formulation, dosage, and comparator used in these recent omega-3 trials.

Conclusion

References

DiNicolantonio JJ.  Meier P and O'Keefe JH. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for the prevention of cardiovascular disease: do formulation, dosage & comparator matter?  Missouri Medicine.  110(6):495-8. Nov-Dec 2013.