Study Finds Fish Oil Supplements Do Not Provide Cardiovascular Health Benefits
Over-the-counter fish oil supplements, commonly known as omega-3s, do not benefit cardiovascular health, according to a recent study published in JAMA Cardiology. Despite this scientific evidence, fish oil marketers continue to make claims suggesting various health benefits, leading to misinformation among consumers.
In the study, researchers analyzed over 2,000 fish oil supplement labels claiming health benefits. Shockingly, more than 80% of these labels used generic descriptions, such as “promotes heart health” or “supports the heart, mind, and mood,” without any scientific evidence to back up these claims. Among these claims, advertisements relating to cardiovascular health were the most common, at 62%.
While it is true that a diet rich in seafood, particularly fatty fish like salmon, has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, the same benefits do not apply to fish oil supplements. This is because the observed benefits are based on dietary omega-3 levels, not supplement intake. In fact, recent large clinical trials have shown that over-the-counter fish oil supplements do not improve cardiovascular disease outcomes.
The senior author of the study, Ann Marie Navar, associate professor of cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, emphasizes that while omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain function, the same cannot be said for fish oil supplements. The effects of supplementing with omega-3s on brain function and disease prevention have not been consistently demonstrated in high-quality clinical trials.
According to Luke Laffin, a preventive cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, it is concerning that fish oil supplement manufacturers continue to promote a range of health benefits without scientific evidence to support them. Laffin recommends getting omega-3 fatty acids through diet rather than supplements, with foods like salmon, mackerel, flax seeds, and chia seeds being excellent sources.
As consumers, it’s important to be aware of the lack of scientific support for the health claims surrounding fish oil supplements. Taking medications prescribed by healthcare professionals and maintaining a healthy diet remain the most effective methods for promoting cardiovascular health.
By Lindsey Bever
▶ A diet rich in seafood reduces the risk of mortality
▶ Fish oil supplements do not have the same benefits… It must be consumed through diet, not supplements
Although most studies have shown that over-the-counter fish oil supplements do not benefit cardiovascular health, marketers nevertheless continue to tout fish oil supplements as heart health pills revealed in a new study. Fish oil supplements, commonly known as omega-3s, are a huge industry with billions of dollars in annual sales. Many people take fish oil capsules every day, believing that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil capsules are good for general health, especially heart health.
While it is true that people who eat seafood regularly are less likely to die from heart disease, studies have shown that taking fish oil as a supplement does not provide the same benefits. Despite this, fish oil marketers continue to make claims suggesting various health benefits, a study recently published in JAMA Cardiology found.
Researchers analyzed more than 2,000 fish oil supplement labels claiming health benefits. The results reveal that more than 80% use generic descriptions describing the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the body, such as “promotes heart health” or “supports the heart, mind and r mood”— “claims about structure and function”. find. Among them, advertisements relating to cardiovascular health were the most common, at 62%.
Fish oil contains EPA and DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids found naturally in fatty fish such as salmon. It is known that the higher the level of omega 3, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, some experts say these observations are based on dietary omega-3 levels, not supplement intake. In fact, two recent large clinical trials have shown that over-the-counter fish oil supplements do not improve cardiovascular disease outcomes.
But the vague language used by fish oil marketers can lead to misinformation about the role of dietary supplements, said the study’s senior author, Ann Marie Navar, associate professor of cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
“It’s true that omega-3 fatty acids are present in the brain and are important for all kinds of brain function,” he says, but “when you take more omega-3s in the form of fish oil supplements, you can improve performance or reduce disease.” Its prevention has not been consistently demonstrated in high-quality clinical trials.”
▲ Fish oil claims not supported by science
When Nava and her colleagues kept hearing from patients that they were taking fish oil supplements daily because of their heart health benefits, Nava and her colleagues decided to investigate the label claims of fish oil supplements. And I’ve seen patients freak out when they’re advised that fish oil has almost no heart health benefits.
During her research, Nava said she was “surprised” to find that fish oil supplement labels included statements suggesting health benefits for various organ systems, including the heart, brain and eyes.
“It’s no surprise that patients find fish oil beneficial to their health,” he said.
Previous studies have produced “conflicting results” about whether fish oil supplements are beneficial for heart health, but new scientific data in recent years have raised further questions.
In a randomized trial of more than 15,000 people with diabetes, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the risk of serious cardiovascular disease did not differ significantly between those who took omega-3 supplements and those who did not.
Another randomized trial with more than 25,000 participants found that omega-3 supplements did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular disease or cancer.
▲ Omega-3 intake through diet, not supplements
Luke Laffin, a preventive cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic who was not involved in the study, said it is concerning that manufacturers of fish oil supplements tout a range of health benefits, but the scientific evidence does not support them.
“If we thought people were really benefiting from this drug, we would have prescribed it,” says Laffin, who encourages patients to get omega-3 fatty acids through their diet.
Fish such as salmon and mackerel, as well as flax seeds and chia seeds, are rich in omega-3s. Eating these foods is part of a healthy diet, says Laffin, which is “very important for cardiovascular health.”
“As cardiologists, we want people to take the right medications and not take the ones that don’t help,” he said.
By Lindsey Bever>
#Omega3s #Good #Heart #Health #result #exaggerated #marketing
