Well, this is unexpected. https://scitechdaily.com/omega-3-fish-oil-supplements-linked-with-heart-rhythm-disorder/ Omega-3 supplements are associated with an increased likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation in people with high blood lipids. That’s the finding of a study published today in European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).[1] “Currently, fish oil supplements are indicated for patients with elevated plasma triglycerides to reduce cardiovascular risk,”[2] said study author Dr. Salvatore Carbone of Virginia Commonwealth University, US. “Due to the high prevalence of elevated triglycerides in the population, they can be commonly prescribed. Of note, low dose omega-3 fatty acids are available over the counter, without the need for a prescription.” Some clinical trials have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with an increased risk for atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder. People with the disorder have a five times greater likelihood of having a stroke.[3] These studies tested different formulations of omega-3 fatty acids at different doses. The authors therefore performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to answer the question of whether fish oils were consistently related to a raised risk for atrial fibrillation. The analysis included five randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes. Participants had elevated triglycerides and were either at high risk for cardiovascular disease or had established cardiovascular disease. A total of 50,277 patients received fish oils or placebo and were followed up for between 2 and 7.4 years. The dose of fish oils varied from 0.84 g to 4 g per day. The researchers found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was associated with a significantly increased risk for atrial fibrillation compared to placebo with an incidence rate ratio of 1.37 (95% confidence interval 1.22-1.54; p<0.001). Dr. Carbone said: “Our study suggests that fish oil supplements are associated with a significantly greater risk of atrial fibrillation in patients at elevated cardiovascular risk. Although one clinical trial indicated beneficial cardiovascular effects of supplementation,[4] the risk for atrial fibrillation should be considered when such agents are prescribed or purchased over the counter, especially in individuals susceptible to developing the heart rhythm disorder.” References: “Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation and risk of atrial fibrillation: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” by Marco Lombardi, Salvatore Carbone, Marco Giuseppe Del Buono, Juan Guido Chiabrando, Giovanni Maria Vescovo, Massimiliano Camilli, Rocco Antonio Montone, Rocco Vergallo, Antonio Abbate, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Dave L Dixon and Filippo Crea, 28 April 2021, European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy. DOI: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvab008 Mach F, Baigent C, Catapano AL, et al. 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. Eur Heart J. 2020;41:111-188. Hindricks G, Potpara T, Nikolaos Dagres N, et al. 2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). Eur Heart J. 2020. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa612 Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, et al. Cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:11-22.
Is the article warning about "supplements" as in something not naturally derived from foods or warning about Omega 3 itself ??? If the latter, I would question heavily the article because its a scientific fact that populations with a fish as a large part of their diet have less cardiovascular risk. wrbtrader
Supplements, according to the article and the research to which it referred. As compared to whole foods. Although the third paragraph in the article is less clear. I am going to pause for a bit with the fish oil capsules until the dust settles, even though I am not considered to be an at-risk user. However, I will continue with the fish, flaxseed and other foods high in omega-3s (or at least the precursor ALA). This stuff is above my paygrade.
I suspect the article is more about "supplements of Omega 3" and not about "Omega 3 naturally from foods" such as a diet high in fish. I've had a diet high in Omega 3 via fish since I was a toddler. I do take Omega 3 supplements when I know I'm in an area where I don't have access to fish...such has rarely occurred. I probably eat Salmon / Mackerel / Trout / young Tuna / Catfish at least 1 - 2 meals most days of the week involving fish from at least one of those types of fish. It's a very expensive diet but my family and I have had such as part of our culture...Indigenous on my father's side and coastal France on my mother's side. I even make my own sushi when treating friends (before the Pandemic). Plus, I've lived for awhile in Asia with easy access to fish markets. I can say the same fish in a different part of the world...it does taste different. For example, Canada catfish versus United States catfish or Trout from the West versus Trout from the East. Fish is King P.S. I fish a lot when I can especially when I go on hiking / camping vacations or day trips. Great way to be outdoors and teach the kids about how to survive in the back country...great during a Pandemic. wrbtrader
Wow! Up to twice a day? That's a lot of fish. When you start developing scales you might want to cut back a bit.
I used to eat a shed load of tuna. Then I began to read various reports stating that it was basically full of mercury and plastic and actually pretty unhealthy, so at that point I switched to eating chickpeas. They may seem like an unlikely substitute but it worked out well and now I find them delicious (especially when served with a dash of soy sauce and some cherry tomatoes). I do sometimes miss tuna but not as much as I feared.
I'm not buying it. What other factors were involved? What was their level of physical activity and/or stress? What was their general level of fitness? What was their consumption of alcohol? Did they smoke? All major contributing factors to Afib.
Not all studies are created equal, but you’d like to think that researchers would take the time to design them properly. But, hey, who knows.
Beware that the study was not executed on healthy individuals, but on individuals with either a cardiovascular disease, or having a high risk of cardiovascular disease. The results can not necessarily be extrapolated to healthy individuals.
Sure, but the point is that the study focused on people with high blood lipids who were at risk of CVD. Those who were already at risk fared worse with the supplements than those who did not take the supplements. Not exactly the expected or desired outcome, was it? Again, I'm not supporting the study. I'm not extrapolating. But I will pause with the fish oil supplements for a time until the dust settles. Until then, I'll go with what this guy suggests, and focus on the whole food approach: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-oil-friend-or-foe-201307126467