Omega 3 fatty acids have long been touted as substances that make the heart healthy. However, new research has found that omega 3 has little or no effect on people with heart disease, stroke, and the risk of death.
The study combined data from 112,059 patients who participated in 79 smaller randomized trials. Omega 3 supplements however have some benefits because they help reduce triglyceride levels.
But, on the downside, they also reduce the level of good cholesterol called HDL. This is according to findings published in the journal Cochrane Library, as quoted by Reuters on Thursday (19/7).
Nutritionists and researchers at Norwich Medical School of the University of East Anglia Lee Hooper and colleagues looked at data from randomized controlled trials following patients from one to six years. The analysis found the benefits of consuming canola and peanut oil, especially in preventing cardiac arrhythmias, the effect is very small.
One in 143 people need to increase their intake of canola oil or beans to prevent heart disease. Then, one in a thousand people need to increase the consumption of canola or nuts oil to prevent it from heart disease, stroke, or heart attack.
Although the data do not show the benefits of omega 3 supplements in terms of heart attack and stroke prevention, Hooper is not ready to tell everyone to discard their supplements.
"That's because omega 3 supplements do reduce triglycerides and if people have been prescribed fish oil by their doctor, they should continue to take it," Hooper said. Only, according to him, in general, the supplement is not much help a person to prevent or recover from heart disease.