Omega-3 Supplements do not have CVD benefits : JAMA

In a Meta-analysis of 10 Trials Involving 77 917 Individuals who had had cardiovascular disease or were at high risk for it Dr. Theingi Aung et al. have demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids had no significant association with fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease or any major vascular events.This implies that Omega-3 Supplements do not have CVD benefits and are ineffective for the prevention of heart disease.The findings are contrary to findings of observational studies in the past that regular consumption of fish once or twice a week was associated with lower risks of death from coronary heart disease (CHD).The findings have been Published online in JAMA Cardiology

This meta-analysis included randomized trials that involved at least 500 participants and a treatment duration of at least 1 year and that assessed associations of omega-3 fatty acids with the risk of vascular events.The study-level data were obtained from 10 large randomized clinical trials involving 77,917 people, 61 percent men, and their average age was 64. The duration of Studies was more than 4 years and the dose of omega-3’s ranged from 226 to 1,800 milligrams a day.

No matter how the researchers looked at the data, they could find no association of the supplements with lowered risk for death from heart disease, or with nonfatal heart attacks or other major cardiovascular events.

There was no effect in people with prior coronary heart disease, those with diabetes, people with high lipid levels, or in people using statins. There was no evidence for an effect in either women or men considered separately.

The meta-analysis demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids had no significant association with fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease or any major vascular events. It provides no support for current recommendations of American Heart Association for the use of such supplements in people with a history of coronary heart disease.

For more details click on the link: doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2017.5205