This is the era of use of ‘Health Supplements’ in the world, especially in Pakistan due to the mega marketing of the health supplement industry of Pakistan.
Since our childhood fish oil supplements have always been considered the best food supplement for our health and we have taken it regularly in winter for decades.
Most people know that a heart-healthy diet includes vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins like fish, which contain omega-3 fatty acids that help raise good cholesterol and lower triglycerides.
However, studies on the benefits of fish oil and supplements have been inconclusive in preventing heart disease for those not at higher risk.
A recent study in BMJ found that people with no heart problems who took fish oil supplements had a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
The study analyzed over 415,000 participants from the UK Biobank, who shared their health records and diet information. Followed from 2006-2010 until 2021, about a third used fish oil supplements. Results showed that people without heart disease who took these supplements had a 13% higher risk of atrial fibrillation and a 5% greater risk of stroke compared to non-users. Women with no initial heart issues had a 6% higher chance of severe heart events if they took the supplements.
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For those with a history of heart disease, fish oil supplements were linked to a 15% lower risk of severe heart issues, such as progressing from atrial fibrillation to a heart attack or worsening heart failure. Dr. Alice Lichtenstein from Tufts University noted the known risk of atrial fibrillation with high doses of fish oil.
A significant randomized control trial in 2018 showed that fish oil supplements lowered heart attack risk by 28% and all heart disease events by 17% in healthy individuals, though not stroke risk. Dr. JoAnn Manson of Harvard Medical School suggests that lower doses (1g per day or less) of fish oil do not significantly increase atrial fibrillation risk, but higher doses do.
Due to these risks, the American Heart Association does not recommend fish oil supplements for heart disease prevention. Instead, they advise a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep.
For those with heart disease, the benefits of omega-3 fats’ anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, and triglyceride-lowering effects may outweigh the risks.
However, these benefits do not extend to individuals without a history of heart problems. Dr. Manson emphasizes that correlation does not prove causation and supports the current recommendation of eating fish one to two times per week.