In 2009 An article was published where it was said that dietary supplements with Omega-3 significantly reduce the risk:
- the occurrence of coronary heart disease;
- development of myocardial infarction;
- general mortality from various diseases of the cardiovascular system.
And experts from the Harvard School of Public Health came to the conclusion about the usefulness of such dietary supplements, having conducted a whole range of studies on this matter.
In addition, the FDA - the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized to write in the instructions for the prescription drug "Vascepa", as if it reduces the guaranteed risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, it turned out that this information was not confirmed by any serious research. Moreover, on January 15, 2020 information has been published that 2 drugs like Vascep have not demonstrated the expected effect in clinical trials.
The data related to dietary supplements containing Omega-3 are contradictory today, so the question is raised again: is it worth taking such supplements? Do they improve your health? Let's try to figure it out.
A lot of noise and... nothing?
Omega-3 - fatty acids, which only the lazy has not been talking about lately. Of course, a person needs them, but his body does not produce them. This means you need to ensure the intake of Omega-3 with food.
Indeed, these acids prevent inflammation and vascular constriction. They form useful biologically active compounds and are part of cell membranes.
Where is it possible to get enough Omega-3? First of all, from oily sea fish, as well as seafood.
Are Omega-3 Supplements Helpful?
Everything is not easy here. 2012 to 2018 the results of 4 large studies were published, according to the results of which we can conclude: Omega-3 supplements can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, etc. diseases.
However, in July 2018 the results of the largest Cochrane meta-analysis of 79 RCTs to date, involving 112,000 people, were posted in the media. This study investigated the effect of omega-3 supplements on the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as human mortality.
And it turned out:supplements containing long-chain omega-3s that volunteers have taken over different periods (from 1 year to 6 years) and in various doses with food, do not affect either the development of cardiovascular diseases or mortality.
Why do the findings differ?
The point, apparently, is that people with health problems took part in the Harvard studies. In particular, they suffered from obesity and were at a fairly solid age. In addition, 40% of the subjects were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and more than 70% were taking drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels.
However, for the two new RCTs that were included in the published meta-analysis, participants received only prescription drugs with long-chain Omega-3 in a strictly defined dosage - 0.84 g per day.
Accept or not?
Better not. Yes, prescription drugs can be helpful for some people with cardiovascular disease. But this does not mean that dietary supplements with different levels of Omega-3 (both in the form of triglycerides and in the form of free fatty acids, as well as ethyl esters and phospholipids) are at least somewhat effective.
Are Omega-3 Supplements Harmful?
Nobody knows this yet. Yes, regulatory authorities in the pharmaceutical field claim that the dosages of active ingredients in bioactive additives are minimal. And the side effects of Omega-3 supplements are small. But here is the same "Vassepa", as shown by an additional study, in case of an overdose able to increase the risk of developing rather dangerous complications - bleeding, as well as fibrillation atria. So is it worth the risk?
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