ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — One in five Americans over the age of 60 take a fish oil supplement for various health benefits, like better heart, brain, eye, joint and skin health. But despite these potential benefits, there have been concerns about the safety and efficacy of fish oil supplements, particularly in high doses.
Fish oil supplements – long touted for their omega-3 fatty acids and claimed health benefits – are under scrutiny as researchers uncover potential risks associated with their usage.
Erin Michos, MD, Assoc. Prof. of Medicine, Assoc. Dir. of Preventive Cardiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine says, “For individuals that are already meeting the recommended daily allowance, there’s no evidence that more is better, even for bone health or fracture reduction, in that, we shouldn’t be pushing individuals to be taking more beyond the recommended daily allowance.”
A 2021 study linked high doses of fish oil to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke, particularly in individuals taking statins. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on heart attacks and death.
Doctor Michos explains, “Forty-six percent of Americans are taking supplements, and the data for, both calcium supplements and many other types of supplements and multivitamins, you know, it’s not clear, at all, for any kind of cancer benefit or cardiovascular benefit. So many individuals are taking these, when many well-done clinical trials have shown that these supplements are no better than placebo. Patients should really discuss with their doctors, you know, do they need them, review their dietary intake and try to make a concerted effort to, you know, meet that recommended daily allowance.”
It’s crucial for consumers to understand that while omega-3 fatty acids are essential for overall health, they can also be obtained through a balanced diet rich in fish, nuts, and seeds.
Contributors to this news report include: Adahlia Thomas, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2023/aug-fish-oil-supplement.html
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/fish-oil)
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/
FISH OIL SUPPLEMENT: IS MORE ACTUALLY BETTER?
REPORT #3178
BACKGROUND: Fish oil is derived from fish tissue. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are not produced by the human body and must be obtained through diet or supplements. These fatty acids are essential for maintaining healthy muscles, especially the heart muscle. They can lower the risk of heart attacks, high cholesterol (especially triglycerides), and high blood pressure. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids have a vital role in reducing inflammation and promoting brain function. A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, taking high doses of fish oil supplements does not necessarily lead to better health outcomes.
(Source: https://communityhealth.mayoclinic.org/featured-stories/fish-oil-supplements)
CONCERNS: When it comes to prescription fish oil, there’s some conflicting and controversial information to sort through. A large study showed that people who took a pure-EPA fish oil pill reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease by 25%, compared to people who took a placebo. That seems like good news, but the placebo was actually not a placebo at all; it was mineral oil, which has since been shown to have some negative cardiovascular effects, like increasing inflammation. A 2021 study found that high doses of fish oil have no effect on reducing major cardiac events in people who are at high risk for them. That study looked at more than 13,000 patients who were already taking statins to lower their cholesterol. The placebo was corn oil, which is thought to be more neutral than mineral oil. That study found no significant reduction. Taking OTC supplements is always risky, as they’re not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you’re at high risk for heart disease, talk to your doctor about the best options for lowering your risk.
(Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/fish-oil)
BETTER ALTERNATIVES: Omega-3s are found naturally in some foods and are added to some fortified foods. You can get adequate amounts of omega-3s by eating a variety of foods, like fish or other seafood. There are also several plant-derived foods that can supply you with omega-3 fatty acids, like flaxseeds which provide a hefty 6,000+ mgs per one ounce serving. You can eat flaxseeds raw but instead, look for ground flaxseed or oil and mix it in with your breakfast cereal, oatmeal, yogurt or condiment, like mustard. You can also use ground flaxseeds when baking. Chia seeds are only slightly behind flaxseeds when it comes to the amount of ALA you’ll get. Like flaxseeds, they make good mix-ins for the same kinds of food just discussed. Walnuts and edamame are other good sources for ALA. Fortified foods like eggs, yogurt, milk, soy beverages and infant formulas that have omega-3 EPA and DHA added are also good. Check the labels on the packaging for more specifics.
(Sources: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/ , https://omegaquant.com/can-you-get-omega-3-without-fish-oil/#:~:text=The%20third%20main%20omega%2D3,of%20the%20benefits%20than%20none.)
* For More Information, Contact: Erin Michos, MD
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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