Study Says Omega-3 Fatty Acids Don't Reduce Stroke

Omega-3 fatty acids were found to have no effect in reducing stroke risk, finds study.

The study, which followed nearly 70,000 patients at a hospital in Greece who were given supplements of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, is published in the September 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

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Researchers said patients at the University Hospital of Ioannina did not show a statistically significant reduction in death or heart illness, and questioned whether omega-3 should be administered proactively when trying to optimize a patient's heart health.

"Our findings do not justify the use of omega-3 as a structured intervention in everyday clinical practice or guidelines supporting dietary omega-3," said Evangelos Rizos, chief author of the study.

After examining 20 studies comprising a total of 68,680 randomized patients, the researchers said there were 7,044 deaths, 3,993 cardiac deaths, 1,150 sudden deaths, 1,837 heart attacks, and 1,490 strokes.

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An analysis of those figures indicated no "statistically significant" association with all-cause mortality, cardiac death, sudden death, heart attack, and stroke when all supplement studies were considered.

Health professionals, backed by a number of clinical trials, for years have touted the health benefits of omega-3, but the authors noted that other studies have failed to support those health claims.

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The report in JAMA noted that some national regulatory agencies in Europe have approved the administration of omega-3 supplements to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

The report said it is possible that studies showing some heart health benefit from taking omega-3 fatty acids "may be due to their ability to lower triglyceride levels, prevent serious arrhythmias, or even decrease platelet aggregation and lower blood pressure."

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The researchers concluded that more research is needed, including "an individual patient data meta-analysis... to refine possible associations related to, among others, dose, adherence, baseline intake, and cardiovascular disease risk group."

Source-AFP