Omega-3s ups and downs
Studies into Omega-3 fatty acids continue to soak up a lot of research dollars, and one of the highest profile studies was again published in JAMA. This time, though, the news was not so good, with a meta-analysis by Greek researchers questioning the heart health benefits of omega-3s.
Data from 70,000 patients indicated that supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was not associated with a lower risk of cardiac death, sudden death, heart attack, or stroke.
“Our findings do not justify the use of omega-3 as a structured intervention in everyday clinical practice or guidelines supporting dietary omega-3 PUFA administration,” concluded researchers from the University Hospital of Ioannina in Greece.
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The conclusions were disputed by Adam Ismail, GOED executive director: "Given the flawed design of this meta-analysis, bypassing the advice of the American Heart Association or the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans by stating that omega-3s are not cardioprotective, could be harmful to public health.
“GOED disputes the findings and urges consumers to continue taking omega-3 products if they are concerned about their heart.”
Ismail added that researchers from Harvard University have estimated that 84,000 deaths a year could be prevented by adequate omega-3 consumption.