Omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease prevention
Abdelhamid, A.S., Brown, T.J., Brainard, J.S.
Published in Cochrane Database
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may reduce cardiovascular disease risk and mortality.
Methodology
Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of 86 randomised controlled trials (about 162,800 participants) of increased long-chain omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid or total polyunsaturated fat intake versus usual intake, with GRADE assessment of mortality and cardiovascular outcomes.
Key Findings
Increasing long-chain omega-3 intake had little or no effect on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, coronary events or stroke (moderate to high certainty). Small reductions in coronary heart disease mortality and events were possible but of low certainty. Triglycerides fell dose-dependently by roughly 15% and HDL rose slightly. Trials used doses mostly between 0.5 and 5 g daily over one to six years.
Conclusions
Routine omega-3 supplementation does not meaningfully reduce cardiovascular mortality or events in the general population; its clearest use is triglyceride lowering rather than broad cardiovascular prevention.
Limitations
Marked heterogeneity in dose, formulation, duration and background diet; many older trials predate statin-era care; participants were largely at moderate rather than very high risk, and adherence and background fish intake were variably reported.
Supplements Studied
Increasing EPA and DHA has little or no effect on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events.
Outcomes Measured
Increasing EPA and DHA has little or no effect on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events.
Long-chain omega-3 supplementation slightly reduced triglycerides in a dose-dependent manner.
Increasing long-chain omega-3 intake had little or no effect on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, coronary events or stroke (moderate to high certainty). Small reductions in coronary heart disease mortality and events were possible but of low certainty. Triglycerides fell dose-dependently by roughly 15% and HDL rose slightly. Trials used doses mostly between 0.5 and 5 g daily over one to six years.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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