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Fish oil -- helpful or harmful?
January 15, 2008Fish oil supplements may help some cardiac patients while harming others
Toronto, ON - Fish oil supplements may help some cardiac patients while harming others, suggests a new review of evidence compiled by St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto researchers.
In a systematic review of trials where patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators used fish oil supplements, Dr. David Jenkins and Dr. Paul Dorian found significant differences among the trials, indicating fish oil may be beneficial to some patients while having a negative impact on others.
"Fish oils can have complex and varied effects on the heart," says Jenkins, a U of T Professor of Medicine who runs the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre at St. Michael's Hospital. "These effects include blocking cardiac ion channels, reducing fibrosis in response to mechanical stress, decreasing blood coagulation, and possibly altering immune function."
There is evidence from multiple large-scale population (epidemiologic) studies and randomized controlled trials that intake of recommended amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of dietary fish or fish oil supplements can reduce the risk of death, heart attack and dangerous abnormal heart rhythms in people with known cardiovascular disease, as well as potentially slow hardening of the arteries and lower blood pressure slightly. But the evidence also shows high doses can have harmful effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding. Although benefits are proposed for alpha-linolenic acid, scientific evidence is less compelling and beneficial effects may be less pronounced.
The meta-analysis reveals that studies in different patient populations with different pathophysiologies and therapeutic regimens have all produced divergent results. However, more recent data suggests that particular caution should be exercised when analyzing data from certain subgroups, such as men with stable angina. The same may also be true for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators who have a history of ventricular tachycardia and who are not taking antiarrhythmic medications.
"Fish oils have promise as beneficial in cardiovascular disease but our work highlights our gaps in understanding and the need for more research," adds Dorian, a cardiologist at St. Michael's Hospital and U of T Professor of Medicine University of Toronto.
The review, which will appear in the January 15 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also indicates that further research and large randomized controlled trials are needed before long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are used in patients with heart failure and angina.
University of Toronto
"Fish oils can have complex and varied effects on the heart," says Jenkins, a U of T Professor of Medicine who runs the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre at St. Michael's Hospital. "These effects include blocking cardiac ion channels, reducing fibrosis in response to mechanical stress, decreasing blood coagulation, and possibly altering immune function."
There is evidence from multiple large-scale population (epidemiologic) studies and randomized controlled trials that intake of recommended amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of dietary fish or fish oil supplements can reduce the risk of death, heart attack and dangerous abnormal heart rhythms in people with known cardiovascular disease, as well as potentially slow hardening of the arteries and lower blood pressure slightly. But the evidence also shows high doses can have harmful effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding. Although benefits are proposed for alpha-linolenic acid, scientific evidence is less compelling and beneficial effects may be less pronounced.
The meta-analysis reveals that studies in different patient populations with different pathophysiologies and therapeutic regimens have all produced divergent results. However, more recent data suggests that particular caution should be exercised when analyzing data from certain subgroups, such as men with stable angina. The same may also be true for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators who have a history of ventricular tachycardia and who are not taking antiarrhythmic medications.
"Fish oils have promise as beneficial in cardiovascular disease but our work highlights our gaps in understanding and the need for more research," adds Dorian, a cardiologist at St. Michael's Hospital and U of T Professor of Medicine University of Toronto.
The review, which will appear in the January 15 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also indicates that further research and large randomized controlled trials are needed before long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are used in patients with heart failure and angina.
University of Toronto
Fish Oil Current Events and Fish Oil News RSSGrains and lamb offer new sources of omega-3
CSIRO research on grains and lamb aimed at developing new dietary sources of long-chain omega-3 oils will be presented at the World Congress on Oils and Fats in Sydney this week.
Half of the fish consumed globally is now raised on farms, study finds
Aquaculture, once a fledgling industry, now accounts for 50 percent of the fish consumed globally, according to a new report by an international team of researchers. And while the industry is more efficient than ever, it is also putting a significant strain on marine resources by consuming large amounts of feed made from wild fish harvested from the sea, the authors conclude.
Study reveals mounting evidence of fish oil's heart health benefits
There is mounting evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil supplements not only help prevent cardiovascular diseases in healthy individuals, but also reduce the incidence of cardiac events and mortality in patients with existing heart disease.
The 'see food' diet
Current research suggests that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent one of the leading causes of legal blindness among the elderly.
Researchers find that eating high levels of fructose impairs memory in rats
Researchers at Georgia State University have found that diets high in fructose - a type of sugar found in most processed foods and beverages - impaired the spatial memory of adult rats.
Edible coating makes fish filets longer-lasting, healthier
Consumers may be able to eat longer-lasting, potentially healthier fish fillets if research at Oregon State University makes its way to the supermarket.
Children's Hospital Oakland scientist characterizes new syndrome of allergy, apraxia, malabsorption
A landmark study conducted by Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland is the first to reveal a new syndrome in children that presents with a combination of allergy, apraxia and malabsorption. Autism spectrum disorders were variably present.
Omega fatty acid balance can alter immunity and gene expression
For the past century, changes in the Western diet have altered the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids (w6, found in meat and vegetable oils) compared with omega-3 fatty acids (w3, found in flax and fish oil).
Eating fatty fish and marine omega-3 fatty acids may reduce risk of heart failure
Eating fatty fish and marine omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, seems to protect men from heart failure according to one of the largest studies to investigate the association.
Eating fatty fish once a week reduces men's risk of heart failure
Eating salmon or other fatty fish just once a week helped reduce men's risk of heart failure, adding to growing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are of benefit to cardiac health. Led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and reported in today's on-line issue of the European Heart Journal, the findings represent one of the largest studies to investigate the association.
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Kirkland Signature Natural Fish Oil Concentrate with Omega-3 Fatty Acids-400 Softgels by Omega 3 Fatty Acids Kirkland Signature fish supply comes from deep ocean waters. Our fish oil is not supplied from farm-raised fish. State-of-the-art molecular distillation process is used to remove PCBs and dioxins which guarantees purity and potency. The fish oil is derived from a variety of fish species, to maximize omega-3 fatty acid concentration. Fish Oil naturally contains the Omega-3 Fatty Acids, EPA and DHA. Omega-3 Fatty Acids help maintain heart and vascular health.* *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
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Kirkland Signature Fish Oil w/ Omega-3 Fatty Acids - One Per Day Formula - 180 Enteric Coated Softgels by Omega 3 Fatty Acids The enteric coating reduces the fishy odor and aftertaste by protecting the softgel until it reaches the lower intestine. Kirkland Signature fish supply comes from deep ocean waters. Our fish oil is not supplied from farm-raised fish. State-of-the-art molecular distillation process is used to remove mercury, PCBs and dioxins which guarantees purity and potency. Fish Oil naturally contains the Omega3 Fatty Acids, EPA and DHA. Omega-3 Fatty Acids help maintain heart and vascular health.* *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
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Carlson Laboratories - The Very Finest Fish Oil Lemon Flavor, 16.9 fl oz liquid by Carlson Laboratories Very Finest Fish Oil Lemon Flavor The Very Finest Fish Oil comes from deep, cold, ocean-water fish. It is processed and bottled in Norway to insure maximum freshness. Take by the teaspoonful, mix with foods, try it on salads! It has a refreshing lemon taste. THIS PRODUCT is regularly tested (using AOAC international protocols) for freshness, potency and purity by an independent, FDA-registered laboratory and has been determined to be fresh, fully potent and free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB's and 28 other contaminants. |
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Nature Made Omega-3 Fish Oil, 1200mg 375sg by Nature Made Nature Made Fish Oil supply comes from deep ocean waters. Our fish oil is not supplied from farm raised fish. |
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Coromega Omega-3 Supplement, Orange Flavor, Squeeze Packets, 90-Count Box by Coromega Daily dose squeeze packets. A delicious pudding-like alternative to capsules! Coromega provides superior bioavailability. In clinical study, the Omega-3 in Coromega was shown to enter the bloodstream faster at three times the levels of a fish oil product in softgel form. Each packet of Coromega delivers the daily intake levels of Omega-3 EPA and DHA recommended by experts for adults and children. As Pure As It Is Delicious: Coromega contains premium quality fish oil from deep, cold-water fish; molecular distillation assures product purity. To guarantee freshness and potency, our special packaging system protects the delicate Omega-3 EPA and DHA from oxygen and light a concern with Omega-3 products in bottle. Have you had your Coromega today? Guaranteed DHA & EPA Content. Pharmaceutical... |
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Carlson Super Omega-3, 100 + 30 Softgels, Bottle by Carlson A special concentrate of fish body oils from deep, cold-water fish including mackerel and sardines which are especially rich in the essential Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Each soft gel provides 590 mg of total Omega-3 fatty acids consisting of approximately 330 mg of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), 220 mg of DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and 40 mg of other Omega-3's. Natural Vitamin E is added to preserve the freshness of the fish oil in the substantial amount of 10 IU per capsule in the form of d-alpha tocopherol. Because the fish live in the deep arctic waters, which are some of the cleanest waters in the world, the fish oil tests by independent laboratory analysis to be free of detectable levels of contaminants including: mercury, cadmium, lead and 29... |
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Golden Alaska Deep Sea Omega-3-6-9 Fish Oil 1000mg 300 Softgels by A.C.Commodity Golden Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil is known for being rich in unsaturated fatty acids and provides rich OMEGA-3 fatty acids, (Pure EPA 180mg/DHA 120mg). Golden Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil are made from natural marine lipid concentrate and may help reduce or inhibit risk factors involved in cardiovascular disease, as well as inflammatory and immune disorders. Long term use of Family Value Alaska Deep Sea Fish Oil help prevent menopausal symptoms, promote better circulation, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce heart related risk, and the pain of arthritis. Omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish and golden alaska deep sea fish oil help to protect against heart and blood vessel disease. Natural, essential fatty acids are essential to normal human cell and tissue growth... |
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Nature's Bounty Fish Oil, 1200 mg, 100 Softgels (Pack of 3) by Nature's Bounty Dietary Supplement. Cholesterol free. Omega-3/Omega-6. Promotes heart health. Cholesterol free Fish Oil contains (EPA) and (DHA), two fatty acids that help support and maintain the health of your cardiovascular system. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are |
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