He fish oil It is a source of omega 3 fatty acids that the human body needs for different functions such as muscle activity and cell growth. For decades, are used fish oil supplements and they are promoted associated with their health benefits.
A study carried out by researchers from China, United States, Denmark and United Kingdom has pointed out that the consumption of supplements It wouldn’t be as beneficial for people who are healthy.
Through a study published in the open access journal BMJ Medicinethe scientific team revealed that regular consumption of fish oil supplements could increase, rather than reduce, the risk of suffering a first-time heart attack or stroke among people with good cardiovascular health.
On the contrary, The consumption of the supplement would have an advantage for people who already have the disease. It could slow the progression of existing poor cardiovascular health and decrease the risk of death.
Before starting the work, the researchers took into account that fish oil is often recommended to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, the evidence on the degree of protection it offers was inconclusive.
They set out to estimate the relationship between fish oil supplements and new cases of the type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure, and death from any cause in people without known cardiovascular diseases.
Additionally, they evaluated the potential role of these supplements in the risk of going from good heart health to atrial fibrillationto serious cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack, and to death.
The study included 415,737 participants from the UK Biobank (55% women), aged between 40 and 69 years. They were surveyed between 2006 and 2010 to collect basic information. The usual intake of oily fish, white fish and fish oil supplements was included.
Participants’ health was tracked until the end of March 2021 or death, whichever came first, using data from medical records.
Almost a third (31.5%) of participants reported regularly taking fish oil supplements. In this group there was a higher proportion of older and white people, as well as women.
Alcohol intake and the proportion of fatty and non-fatty fish consumed were also higher, while the proportions of regular smokers and people living in deprived areas were lower.
Over a mean follow-up period of nearly 12 years, 18,367 participants developed atrial fibrillation, 22,636 had a heart attack or stroke or developed heart failure, and 22,140 died.
Among those who went from good cardiovascular health to atrial fibrillation, 3,085 developed heart failure, 1,180 suffered a stroke and 1,415 a myocardial infarction. And 2,436 of those with heart failure died, as did 2,088 of those who had suffered a stroke and 2,098 of those who had had a myocardial infarction.
The results of the study, which received the funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundationindicated that regular consumption of fish oil supplements played different roles in cardiovascular health, disease progression and death.
He regular consumption of fish oil supplements was associated with a 13% increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation and of 5% of the risk of suffering a stroke for people without known cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the follow-up period.
But among those with cardiovascular disease at the start of the follow-up period, regular consumption of fish oil supplements was associated with a 15% lower risk of progressing from atrial fibrillation to heart attack, and a 9% lower risk of progressing from atrial fibrillation to heart attack. from heart failure to death.
A more detailed analysis revealed that age, biological sex, smoking, consumption of white fish, high blood pressure, and the use of statins and hypotensive drugs modified the observed associations.
As this is an observational study, no conclusions can be drawn about causal factors., the researchers admitted. Furthermore, they acknowledged, there is no potentially influential information available on the dosage or formulation of fish oil supplements. And since most of the participants were white, the results might not be applicable to people of other ethnicities.
But they concluded: “Regular consumption of fish oil supplements could play different roles in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. “Further studies are needed to determine the precise mechanisms of development and prognosis of cardiovascular disease episodes with regular use of fish oil supplements.”
Should healthy people not take fish oil supplements based on the results of the new study? According to him he told Infobae the doctor Ezequiel Forteco-director of the community council of the Inter-American Society of Cardiology and former director of the cardiometabolism council of the Argentine Society of Cardiology“it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from observational studies, although it is undoubtedly a yellow light.”
Other higher quality experimental studies (with randomized controlled trials) had warned about the increased risk of arrhythmias due to the consumption of the supplement, Dr. Forte recalled.
Not every supplement just because it is “natural” is beneficial for the general population, he stressed. “By not knowing the dosage, quality and formulation of these supplements, the results can be variable between different clinical trials,” she added.
He considered that “using a supplement is a medical intervention that can positively or negatively impact health. It is important that the population consult with their trusted doctor before consuming them.”
While, Andres Moralesgraduate in biotechnology, doctor in biological sciences from the National University of Tucumánand scholarship holder Conicetexpressed in dialogue with Infobae: “It is important to note that a key limitation of the study published in BMJ Medicine is the lack of control over omega-3 intake by the participants (weekly dosage or formulation of each particular supplement). Furthermore, the recommended weekly amount is a matter of debate and continues to be the subject of research in the scientific community.”
According to Dr. Morales, “there is not enough evidence today to advise against preventive consumption of supplements rich in omega-3 in healthy people, especially when there are nutritional deficiencies in their diet. As studies are continually conducted, it is crucial to stay informed about consumption recommendations from international health entities such as the World Health Organization.”
Dr. Morales is working on the development of an enriched oil from marine species from the Argentine continental shelf.
