Fish Oil Supplements Linked to a Lower Risk of Heart Disease and Death
Recently, research done involving data on patients from the UK discovered that regular use of fish oil supplements may be linked to a lower risk of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. It was noted that fish oil was a popular dietary supplement in the UK, with additional evidence suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids in it may help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce mortality.
To explore this theory further, researchers in China and the US looked at data from the UK Biobank, a large population-based study of more than half a million British men and women. Their analysis included 427,678 men and women aged between 40 and 69 years old, without CVD or cancer, who were enrolled in the study during 2006–10 and completed a survey on their use of these supplements. It was found that almost a third (31%) of participants reported taking regular fish oil supplements at the start of the study. As a result of the study, the researchers found that fish oil supplements were associated with a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 16% lower risk of CVD mortality, and a 7% lower risk of CVD events. Scientists also noted that the association between fish oil use and CVD events appeared to be stronger among those with high blood pressure. These results remained even after investigating risk factors, such as age, sex, lifestyle habits, diet, medication and other supplement use. Researchers believe that there are several explanations for these results. They believe it’s because omega-3 fatty acid supplements have shown beneficial effects on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and heart rate.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in various foods, such as fish and flaxseed, and in dietary supplements such as fish oil. The three 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 are found in fish and other types of seafood. ALL is one of the most essential fatty acids. This is due to the fact that the body is not able to produce it, so you must receive it from the food and beverages that you consume. Then, your body can convert some of the ALA you receive into EPA and then to DHA, but only in very small amounts. Therefore, acquiring epA and DHA from foods and dietary supplements (if taken) is the best way to increase the levels of these omega-3 fatty acids in your body.
Omega-3s play many important roles throughout your body. They are components of the membranes that surround the cells in your body. DHA levels are especially high in the retina, brain, and sperm cells. Along with this, Omega-3s also provide calories to give your body energy and have many functions in your heart, blood vessels, lungs, immune system, and endocrine system (the network of hormone-producing glands).
All of this information can be used by other professionals to possibly further their research and conduct more studies to possibly reach more breakthroughs in this matter. Researchers currently believe that with further studies in the future, they may be able to explore what specific dose will be needed in order to achieve a clinically meaningful effect. Once we know more about the link between fish oil supplements and diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), researchers could perhaps investigate this link and find even more options to prevent various ailments.
Many studies show that eating fatty fish and other types of seafood as part of a healthy diet helps keep your heart healthy and helps protect you from various other heart problems. For example, getting more EPA and DHA from food or dietary supplements lowers triglyceride levels. In conclusion, studies have shown habitual fish oil use is believed to be associated with a lower risk of heart problems and provides a benefit against cardiovascular disease events.
References
Harvard Health Publishing. (2019, April). Should you be taking an omega-3 supplement? Retrieved April 21, 2020, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-you-be-taking-an-omega-3-supplement
Nessel, J. (2020, March 10). Fish Oil Supplements Linked to Lower Risk of Premature Death, Cardiovascular Disease. Retrieved 2020, from https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/fish-oil-supplements-linked-to-lower-risk-of-premature-death-cardiovascular-disease
Weitz, D., Weintraub, H., Fisher, E., & Schwartzbard, A. Z. (n.d.). Fish oil for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Retrieved April 21, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217043/
