Experts say people should try to get omega-3 fatty acids from food sources.
While fish oil supplements are widely used for heart health due to their omega-3 content, a recent study suggests they may not be as beneficial as previously thought. In the U.S., about 1 in 5 adults over the age of 60 regularly take these supplements to protect their hearts. However, the study suggests that for people with good heart health, regular fish oil use may increase the risk of experiencing a stroke or atrial fibrillation for the first time.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) is an irregular heartbeat that can feel like fluttering or pounding in the chest. “I can see the title of this study as ‘Fish oil supplements: Is it time to dump it or not?'” explained cardiologist Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver. cnn,
“The reason I say this is because over-the-counter fish oil is so rarely recommended, it’s not in any guidelines from professional medical societies, and yet it’s what most people take,” said Freeman, who was not involved in the study.
U.K. A large study involving more than 415,000 people in the U.S. found a possible link between taking fish oil supplements and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and stroke in people who had no previous heart disease. There was no related problem. Participants in the study were followed for an average of 12 years. Researchers also noted that some over-the-counter fish oil supplements may not be pure or consistent and may contain contaminants such as mercury.
“Also, the studies done for over-the-counter fish oil in the last 10 years have not been very positive,” he said. “Fish oil either has no benefit or in some cases it may cause harm, such as with stroke and AFib. So this is nothing new.”
The study said people with existing heart disease at the start of the research had a 15% lower risk of progression from atrial fibrillation to heart attack and 15% lower risk of heart failure when they regularly used fish oil. The risk of progression to death was 9% lower.
Prescription versions of fish oil, such as Vascepa and Lovaza, are used to combat risk factors such as high triglycerides, a type of blood fat, in people at risk for heart disease, Dr. Freeman said.
“But even at prescription strength, highly purified versions of fish oil, the risk of AFib and sometimes stroke still exists, and doctors are cautious about that,” Freeman said.
“Overall, I would say the days of people going to the store and buying buckets of fish oil pills to keep themselves healthy should be over, but fish oil may still have a role in people who are already sick.”
When it comes to fish oil, “the devil is in the details,” said Alzheimer’s preventive neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, research director at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Boca Raton, Florida.
He said, “First, we recommend testing omega-3 fatty acid levels – you can buy finger-prick tests online that are accurate – and then you should continue testing if you don’t need So you shouldn’t take fish oil.”
Experts say people should try to get their omega-3 fatty acids from food sources. Algae and seaweed are also good non-fish sources of omega-3. Chia seeds, edamame (soybeans), flaxseeds, hemp seeds and walnuts are other plant-based options that are rich in omega-3s.
Experts say prescription omega-3 fatty acids are better than over-the-counter options.
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