Study Finds No Benefit from Fish Oil Pills
Fish oil pills don't reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people at high risk of heart disease, a new study suggests. Earlier studies concluded that eating fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, could lower risk in people with heart failure or a previous heart attack. The new study focused on about 12,500 people who never had a heart attack or stroke. But they had high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease or several other factors that increased their risk. They already were taking medicines to address those risks. People were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group took a daily capsule containing omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. The other group took placebo pills that contained olive oil. In the next 5 years, about 12% of each group died or spent time in a hospital because of a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related problem. People who got the real fish oil did not have better results. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study. The Associated Press wrote about it May 9.
By Howard LeWine, M.D.