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Did you know
February is American Heart Month? This annual observance encourages us to
focus on things we can do to help keep our heart healthy. For example, you may have heard
that fish oil helps your heart. But what does the research tell us?
More than 30 years ago, researchers found that people
who ate a lot of seafood had a relatively lower risk of dying from heart
disease. Since then, studies have continued to show that people who eat seafood
regularly are less likely to die of heart disease than those who rarely or
never eat seafood.
But studies on the effects of taking dietary
supplements of fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, on heart disease have had
inconsistent results. In 2012, analyses of the results of multiple studies found
no convincing evidence that omega-3 dietary supplements protect against
heart disease.
If you do take dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, do so wisely:
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Do not use omega-3 supplements to replace
conventional care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about a heart problem.
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Be aware that fish liver oils, such as cod liver
oil, are not the same as fish oil. Fish liver oils contain omega-3 fatty acids
but also vitamins A and D, which can be toxic in large doses.
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Omega-3 supplements
may extend bleeding time (the time it takes for a cut to stop bleeding). People
who take drugs that affect bleeding time, such as anticoagulants (“blood
thinners”) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should discuss the
use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements with a health care provider.
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