A popular supplement is dangerous for healthy people. It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- In healthy people, fish oil supplements can be harmful – they increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by 13 percent and stroke by 5 percent.
- Fish oil may be helpful for people with heart disease – it reduces the risk of serious cardiac events (e.g., heart attack) by 8-15 percent and reduces the risk of death from heart failure by 9 percent.
- Fish oil supplementation is not unequivocally beneficial - its effects depend on the user's health condition and the course of cardiovascular diseases
- Scientists recommend caution and further research - they emphasize that the best source of healthy fatty acids is still oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring
The journal BMJ Medicine published the results of a study conducted by UK researchers. The study's findings suggest that regular use of fish oil supplements may have a variety of effects on cardiovascular disease , including serious complications. It turns out that regular use of fish oil may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Fish Oil Supplements. What Did the Study Show?The study, conducted by Biobank UK, involved over 415,000 participants aged 40-69. The researchers conducting the study monitored the participants' health for nearly 12 years.
In people without previous cardiovascular disease:
- Regular consumption of fish oil was associated with a 13 percent higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
- A small increase in the risk of stroke (by 5%) was also observed.
In people already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease:
- Fish oil had a protective effect, reducing the risk of progression from atrial fibrillation to more serious cardiac events, such as heart attack, by 8-15 percent.
- It also reduced the risk of heart failure progressing to death by 9 percent.
- For healthy individuals: Fish oil supplements may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke, suggesting caution in people without pre-existing heart problems.
- For people with heart disease: regular use of fish oil may be beneficial , reducing the risk of further deterioration and mortality.
Scientists argue that fish oil isn't universally beneficial for everyone. It may increase the risk of certain conditions in healthy individuals, but it can improve the health of those who already have cardiovascular problems. However, they point out that further research is needed to understand exactly how fish oil affects the different stages of heart disease development.
- For healthy individuals: Using fish oil supplements may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke.
- For people with existing cardiovascular disease: Regular use of fish oil may be beneficial by reducing the risk of disease progression.
You don't have to swallow capsules to take care of your heart and brain. Instead of fish oil supplements, it's worth choosing natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids. You'll find the most valuable fats in oily marine fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring. Just 2-3 servings a week are enough to meet your DHA and EPA needs—without the risk of overdosing with supplements.
Walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are also good dietary supplements, although they contain mainly ALA – the plant-based equivalent of omega-3. Experts emphasize: it's better to eat fish than swallow pills. It's a natural, tasty, and healthier solution.
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