Discussion Board

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/archinternmed.2012.262

Efficacy of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements (Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid) in the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
A Meta-analysis of Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials

Sang Mi Kwak, MD; Seung-Kwon Myung, MD; Young Jae Lee, MD, MS; Hong Gwan Seo, MD, PhD; for the Korean Meta-analysis Study Group
Arch Intern Med. Published online April 9, 2012. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2012.262

Background  Although previous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials reported the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the evidence remains inconclusive. Using a meta-analysis, we investigated the efficacy of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the secondary prevention of CVD.

Methods  We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in April 2011. Two of us independently reviewed and selected eligible randomized controlled trials.

Results  Of 1007 articles retrieved, 14 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (involving 20 485 patients with a history of CVD) were included in the final analyses. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce the risk of overall cardiovascular events (relative risk, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.89-1.09), all-cause mortality, sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or transient ischemic attack and stroke. There was a small reduction in cardiovascular death (relative risk, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99), which disappeared when we excluded a study with major methodological problems. Furthermore, no significant preventive effect was observed in subgroup analyses by the following: country location, inland or coastal geographic area, history of CVD, concomitant medication use, type of placebo material in the trial, methodological quality of the trial, duration of treatment, dosage of eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid, or use of fish oil supplementation only as treatment.

Conclusion  Our meta-analysis showed insufficient evidence of a secondary preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements against overall cardiovascular events among patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.

I wonder what Dean Ornish and Joel Fuhrman have to say about this.

Best,
MK

I saw that article as well and posted in the Health section a few days ago.

Just to point out though, Dr F doesn't recommend DHA for the purpose of heart health (I could be wrong but I think it is mostly for prevention of cognitive decline and/or Parkinson's) and Dr Ornish partly recommends fish oil for cancer prevention (he cited some study at the ASW a few yr ago).