Fish oil supplements, often recommended to help protect the heart, may not provide as much benefit as once thought, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The new research reexamined the findings from 20 previous studies that included almost 70,000 people. The scientists found that overall, taking fish oil supplements which contain omega-3 fatty acids, had little or no effect on reducing a person's risk of dying or suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Other experts who looked at the research still maintain that fish oil supplements do lower that risk even though it might be not as much as originally thought.
The American Heart Association points out that eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids is good for your cardiovascular system.
The question is about taking a supplement instead of the food.
So what do you do as a consumer? The American Heart Association recommends that we eat at least 2 servings of cold-water fish such as salmon or tuna each week. If you don't get enough in your diet, check with your doctor, fish oils may be the next best option.
The new research reexamined the findings from 20 previous studies that included almost 70,000 people. The scientists found that overall, taking fish oil supplements which contain omega-3 fatty acids, had little or no effect on reducing a person's risk of dying or suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Other experts who looked at the research still maintain that fish oil supplements do lower that risk even though it might be not as much as originally thought.
The American Heart Association points out that eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids is good for your cardiovascular system.
The question is about taking a supplement instead of the food.
So what do you do as a consumer? The American Heart Association recommends that we eat at least 2 servings of cold-water fish such as salmon or tuna each week. If you don't get enough in your diet, check with your doctor, fish oils may be the next best option.
