August 27, 2015

Fish oil can help increase the chances of survival for people with heart disease, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.

There have been numerous studies on the potential benefits of fish oil supplements for people who have coronary heart disease. Reviews of the published results indicate that taking fish oil supplements could help decrease the risk of cardiac (heart-related) death by 13-20 % in people who already have heart problems.

A review done at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and published in the journal Clinical Cardiology notes that while the mechanism by which fish oil provides this benefit has not been determined, “Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids should be considered in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.” (Paul Marik)

A review of published research in the British Medical Journal concluded by stating: “Based on the best currently available evidence, the results of this systematic review show a beneficial effect of fish oil in reducing deaths from cardiac causes. The optimal dose or formulation of fish oil is unknown, but it seems reasonable to use a daily formulation similar to that used in the GISSI-Prevenzione trial, of about 465 mg EPA/386 mg DHA.”  (Hernando León, et al.)