Are omega-3 fatty acids useful for the heart?

Omega-3 can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential substances for human nutrition. So they are vital and can not be produced by the body itself. For years experts have been debating whether these fatty acids reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease such as stroke or heart attack. Now there are new findings.

Omega-3 fatty acids need to be ingested through the diet

Omega-3 fatty acids can not be produced by the body and therefore have to be absorbed through the diet. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends consuming 0.5 percent of the daily calories from omega-3 fatty acids. This corresponds to an adult about the amount that is contained in a tablespoon of rapeseed oil. Good omega-3 suppliers include walnuts, green leafy vegetables (e.g., corn salad), some vegetable oils (e.g., rapeseed, walnut and linseed oil), and chia seeds. But most of all fish provides omega-3 fatty acids.

Professionals have been arguing for years about whether omega-3 fatty acids in fish reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Now there are new findings. (Image: bit24 / fotolia.com)

Positive influence on the health

Omega-3 fatty acids have a positive influence on our body. According to experts, they strengthen our immune system and maintain good health into old age.

In addition, studies have shown that they can help with cancer screening and Alzheimer's prevention.

But what good is omega-3 fatty acids for the heart? Experts have been arguing about this for years. Now there are new findings.

Unclear study situation

German scientists reported years ago that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in vascular calcifications.

And researchers from the US found in a study that the consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce the risk of acute heart attacks.

But, according to British scientists, omega-3 supplementation does not protect against heart disease.

So, is it true that omega-3 fatty acids in fish reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke or heart attack? Or not?

Two studies now show when they work and when they are useless, as a cardiologist explains.

Cholesterol levels can be adjusted well

Cardiovascular diseases are usually caused by deposits of blood lipids that are too high in concentration and can clog the vessels.

In addition to cholesterol, these are mainly so-called triglycerides.

"We have been able to adjust the cholesterol level quite well for a long time," explains Professor. Dr. h.c. Christoph Bode, Medical Director of the Department of Cardiology and Angiology I at the University Heart Center Freiburg · Bad Krozingen, in a statement.

"With the triglycerides, we have not been able to do that satisfactorily so far. Here we see a good chance, "says the expert.

High risk patients can benefit

According to the announcement of the Freiburg University Hospital, the large REDUCE-IT study with more than 8,000 patients has now been presented at the American Heart Congress (AHA).

All study participants already had cardiovascular disease or had several risk factors for such diseases.

Only patients with elevated triglyceride levels (150-500 mg / dl) and very low LDL cholesterol levels (40-100 mg / dl) with a statin as a cholesterol-lowering agent were studied.

On average, participants took two tablets daily for five years, each containing two grams of a purified omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid - EPA)..

The result was that serious complications such as heart attack were 25 percent less common than in those without EPA.

"The effect is very clear. We hope that this will fill a gap in the treatment of high-risk patients, "says Professor Bode.

However, it is not yet clear what the effect is due to.

"It may be that the blood clotting is slightly reduced, so it is less likely to blood clots in the vessels," says the cardiologist. "But even a stabilization of existing plaque deposits in vessel walls comes into consideration."

Product not comparable with dietary supplements or fish

According to the information, the drug used in the study contained a single high-dose omega-3 fatty acid and is subject to prescription.

"Dietary supplements from the drugstore are not comparable. They are ineffective in cardiovascular diseases, "says Professor Bode.

This was confirmed in another study in which more than 25,000 participants took a preparation that is comparable in concentration to those from the drugstore. Here, the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke did not decrease.

As stated in the communication, omega-3 fatty acids are also present in fish in concentrations for which no specific effect is detectable.

But according to the experts, it is still healthy to eat fish regularly, as it also contains many other health-promoting ingredients such as protein, vitamin D and A and necessary minerals such as iodine. (Ad)