The unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in certain fish, such as sardines and salmon, do not reduce the risk of death from heart attack and stroke, a meta-analysis published by the Journal of the American Medical Association showed.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Mosef Elisef from the hospital in Ioannina (Greece), says that it does not matter whether omega-3s are taken as supplements or with fish fat. They do not provide equal protection against heart attack and stroke, or sudden cardiac death.
This contradicts enthusiastic research published 10 years ago. They showed that omega-3 acids in each form show strong protective effects: they reduce triglycerides, lower blood pressure and have a positive effect on the heart rhythm.
Since then, people have been encouraged to eat products rich in this ingredient, as well as supplements containing it. But subsequent studies turned out to be more and more negative. At the beginning of 2012, the observations of 20 thousand people were published. Koreans who showed that omega-3 fatty acids did not protect against ischemic heart disease or reduce the risk of death from it.
In the latest study, Greek specialists analyzed 18 studies that tested the health effects of dietary supplements containing omega-3 acids. Two studies were also included to show how beneficial it is to eat plenty of fish and other foods rich in this nutrient.
All these observations were attended by a total of over 68. people. However, they did not confirm that omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on the heart. (PAP)
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