Go fish? Omega-3 fatty acids boost outcomes, reduce cardiovascular mortality
Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, according to a new meta-analysis published in eClinical Medicine.
Researchers examined 38 different randomized controlled trials, covering more than 149,000 participants. Two independent investigators looked at each trial for any hints of potential bias.
Overall, the team found that omega-3 fatty acids, which are typically found in certain fish and plant sources, were tied to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality and improvements in cardiovascular outcomes.
Also, the group found, an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) monotherapy led to “greater relative risk reductions” than a combination of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid.
“This meta-analysis provides reassurance about the role of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically prescription EPA,” senior author Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, executive director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said in a prepared statement. “It should encourage investigators to explore further the cardiovascular effects of EPA across different clinical settings.”
The full meta-analysis is available here.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.