Fish oil heart benefits unclear
Fish oil does not provide clear benefit in heart rhythm problems
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Wednesday, 24, Dec 2008 12:01
While fish oil protects against deaths from heart problems, it does not provide a clear benefit in heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), a report claims.
A study published on bmj.com today claims the evidence for the protective effect of fish oil is based on a decade old trial and more recent research has shown no beneficial effect in patient outcomes.
In an attempt to establish the true protective qualities of fish oil, researchers systematically reviewed randomised trials of the oil as a dietary supplement in the prevention of cardiac deaths and arrhythmias (abnormal electrical activity in the heart that can lead to death), in more than 30,000 participants in 12 studies.
They found that fish oil was effective at reducing deaths from heart problems, but showed no strong evidence of a beneficial effect on arrhythmias or deaths from all causes.
In an accompanying editorial also published today experts suggest the review emphasises the lack of available high quality evidence and "the neglect of this important area of nutrient research".
They call for increased funding to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the protective effect of fish oil, "to help the millions of people with heart disease and to protect the world’s marine life - which is facing extinction for commercial gain, partly, and maybe unnecessarily, in the name of public health".