Fish oil supplements may be harmful for people with abnormal heartbeats, says the new research on the subject.
Fish oil is noted for omega 3 fatty acids that are essential to the body in terms of regulating blood pressure and blood clotting and must be taken in as supplements. These fatty acids are known to have preventive properties for disease like Alzheimer’s, arthritis, breast cancer etc.New research by the scientists of Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine had found out that fish oil can actually be harmful to patients suffering from arrhythmia and abnormal heart beats, especially those patients with implanted defibrillators.
Researchers have noted that, in patients who received fish oil supplements as preventive treatment, the risk of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation was almost double than that of patients who received the placebo. Researchers feel that this may be due to fish oil having differential benefits on the abnormal heart rates at different conditions.
The researchers felt that their research does not reduce the importance of the numerous studies that have found out the benefits of fish oil supplements for health. However they also issue a warning to patients with abnormal heart rates to stay away from the supplement.
Reference: Journal of the American Medical Association, June 2005
