Posted on 05/08/2013 8:51:52 PM PDT by neverdem
Another large study has failed to find any benefits for fish oil supplements. The Italian Risk and Prevention Study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, enrolled 12,513 people who had not had a myocardial infarction but had evidence of atherosclerosis or had multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The patients were randomized to either a fish oil supplement (1 gram daily of n-3 fatty acids) or placebo.
After 5 years of followup, the primary endpoint– the time to death from cardiovascular causes or admission to the hospital for cardiovascular causes– had occurred in 11.7% of the fish oil group versus 11.9% of the placebo group (adjusted hazard ratio 0.97, CI 0.88-1.08, p=0.58). There were no significant differences in any of the prespecified secondary endpoints.
With one exception there were no significant differences in outcome in the prespecfied subgroups. Women who received fish oil supplements had a significant reduction in the primary endpoint (HR 0.82, CI 0.67-0.99, p=0.04). The study investigators also reported that although there was no difference in the rate of hospital admissions for cardiovascular admissions, there was a significant reduction in hospital admissions for heart failure in the fish oil group (1.5% versus 2.3%, p=0.002).
Due to a lower than expected rate of events, after the first year the investigators modified the primary endpoint, which originally had been the cumulative rate of death, MI, and nonfatal stroke.
The investigators wrote that “the consistently null effect across the various end points and subgroups does not suggests alternative interpretations.” The observed benefits in women and in reducing hospital admissions for heart failure “must be considered conservatively,” they wrote.
The trial investigators discussed two previous Italian trials, the GISSI-Prevenzione trial, in MI patients, and the GISSI-HF trial, in heart failure patients, which found benefits for fish oil supplements in their respective...
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Some older clinical studies[46][55] indicate that the ingested ratio of omega−6 to omega−3 (especially linoleic vs alpha-linolenic) fatty acids is important to maintaining cardiovascular health. However, three studies published in 2005, 2007 and 2008, including a randomized controlled trial, found that while omega−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are extremely beneficial in preventing heart disease in humans, the levels of omega−6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (and therefore the ratios) were insignificant.[56][57][58]
SCREW “supplements”!
If you want the benefits of eating fish... eat FISH.
I don’t take them but my pup was recently diagnosed with SLO and has to take them (and doxycyline and niacinimide) for the rest of his life. :-(
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FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
In a letter published October 31, 2000,[45][dated info] the United States Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements noted that known or suspected risks of EPA and DHA consumed in excess of 3 grams per day may include the possibility of:Increased incidence of bleeding
Hemorrhagic stroke
Oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids, forming biologically active oxidation products
Increased levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol or apoproteins associated with LDL cholesterol among diabetics and hyperlipidemics
Reduced glycemic control among diabetics
Been taking the capsules for about 2 years per my doc. Triglycerides showed up good again this year at annual checkup -- hope this is a good idea.
The test results were “good news” to the fish.
Most commonly, soft plaque suddenly ruptures (see vulnerable plaque), causing the formation of a thrombus that will rapidly slow or stop blood flow, leading to death of the tissues fed by the artery in approximately 5 minutes.
I thought the purpose of taking fish oil supplements was to get the doctor off your back by upping the good HDL number.
Correct. FLAXSEED OIL is also a great source of it. A friend of mine had Lasik and every eye doctor recommended it highly as there are conditions that make your eyes dry out and omega 3/flaxseed oil takes care of that. It worked for him.
A month ago, some clowns said eggs are bad for you. What’s next, water gives you cancer?
One of the things I just read is that niacin and fish oil are no longer thought to be very effective (might be a little) at raising HDL.
“So not much point in lowering triglycerides? They drop like a rock when I take fish oil.”
My HDL, the good cholesterol, increases with fish oil, but my HDL also increases with olive oil.
My Barlean's Fish Oil pills label indicates:
For 2 gm (2000 mg) Saturated Fat 0.5 gm Polyunsaturated Fat 1 gm Calories from fat 18 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) 370 mg Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) 230 mg Other Omega-3 Fatty Acids 150 mg Vitamin E Natural (d-alpha tocopherol) 2 IU Cholesterol 0 mg
I wonder how much is enough, and how much too much each day -- hmmm.
“So not much point in lowering triglycerides? They drop like a rock when I take fish oil.”
My HDL, the good cholesterol, increases with fish oil, but my HDL also increases with olive oil.
Notice that the study used female subjects only who were in the high risk category who already showed evidence of atherosclerosis.
“12,513 people who had not had a myocardial infarction but had evidence of atherosclerosis or had multiple cardiovascular risk factors.”
We don’t know if men react differently.
So, the study may not apply to people how take fish oil to PREVENT atherosclerosis.
Taking a supplement won’t automatically improve your health. You have to exercise and reduce calories.
Bingo.
Just bought a new bottle this past week...I noticed that they now sell a “burp-free” fish oil capsule. I have no idea what that is..but it does cost TWICE as much as what I regularly buy..
I guess I’ll scale back my fish oil intake. I wasn’t really hooked anyway.
Problem is, you don’t know what you’re getting these days:
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