Dietary supplements with fish oil do not protect against heart disease

How do omega-3 fatty acids affect heart health??

Dietary supplements containing fish oil are taken daily by millions of people. These dietary supplements are high in omega-3 fatty acids, so they are supposed to help prevent various heart diseases. Researchers have now found that these popular supplements may not have a positive protective effect on heart disease.

Researchers at the University of Oxford found in their current research that fish oil supplements do not appear to protect against heart disease. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "JAMA".

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are supposed to protect against heart disease. Can such a protective effect also be medically proven? (Image: tunedin / fotolia.com)

Focus on a healthy diet

The analysis of ten existing studies found that dietary supplements containing fish oil at doses ranging from 226 mg to 1800 mg per day did not provide significant protection against vascular events. The study focused on 77,197 older adults who took different forms of fish oil supplements within four years. Concerned individuals should focus on a healthy diet to successfully protect themselves from heart disease instead of continuing to take supplements with fish oil, advocates study author Professor Robert Clarke of the internationally respected University of Oxford in a press release.

Make sure you have enough fruits and vegetables with your diet

Millions of people are taking supplements, but the results of the study show that ingestion has no effective use in the prevention of heart disease, says the expert. Better to buy fresh fruits and vegetables to improve your health, the doctor continues. A healthy diet has more of an effect on the development of heart disease than the intake of dietary supplements with fish oil.

Fish-eating people live healthier lives

The consumption of fish leads to health benefits for the heart. In addition, it is likely that fish-consuming people generally live healthier because they eat less meat. The new findings, based on high-quality research and publications, suggest that taking dietary supplements with fish oil could be a waste of time and money, scientists say.

How do I avoid heart disease??

People should eat a healthy, balanced diet. This should contain fish and only small amounts of red meat should be consumed. Eat plenty of vegetables, drink as little alcohol as possible, refrain from smoking and exercise regularly, or do sports to protect yourself from heart disease, according to study authors' recommendations.

Fish oil can cause bruising

A big problem with dietary supplements with fish oil is that fish oil can increase the likelihood of bruising, say the doctors. Fish oil is one of the most widely used supplements in the world. Many people hope to protect their cardiovascular health by taking it. There have been various statements by experts that omega-3 fatty acids help to improve heart health. However, it has been found that these fatty acids reduce triglyceride levels, and high concentrations of these blood lipids increase the risk of heart disease, the study authors conclude. (As)