British researchers have looked into the effects of fish oil on heart health. The latter being a source of fatty acids Omega 3, it is not uncommon for it to be recommended to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases. Be careful, however, because its use must be adapted depending on your state of health.
Indeed, in people who do not have a cardiovascular disorder, taking a fish oil supplement increases the risk of atrial fibrillation and 5% to have a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). On the other hand, taking it is recommended for people with heart problems, as this could slow the progression of poor cardiovascular health. Their results are published in the BMJ Medicine.
Taking a fish oil supplement increases the risk of stroke by 13% in patients without cardiovascular disease
To arrive at these results, the researchers based themselves on a large panel of 415,737 aged between 40 and 69 years old. The latter were enrolled in the UK Biobank study, a long-term study to analyze the effects of environmental exposure on the development of certain diseases. A questionnaire on eating habits allowed them to know the frequency of fish consumption and the taking of food supplements containing fish oil.
More specifically, researchers were interested in cardiovascular health and the occurrence of certain pathologies such as atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke andheart failure. The health status of the participants was recorded between 2006 and 2010.
In total, a third of participants reported using fish oil supplements regularly. Over the period, 18,367 patients presented with atrial fibrillation, 22,636 had major adverse cardiovascular events and 22,140 deaths occurred during follow-up. Result: the researchers noticed that regular use of fish oil supplements had a different impact on the health status of the participants.
In people suffering from cardiovascular disease, fish oil reduces the risk of heart failure by 9%
Researchers noted that people who took fish oil supplements, but did not have cardiovascular disease, had a 13% increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation and a 5% increased risk of having an accident. cerebrovascular.
Conversely, those who suffered from cardiovascular disease and who took a fish oil food supplement had a “15% lower risk of progression from atrial fibrillation to heart attack, and 9% lower risk of progression to heart failure.” The researchers emphasize, however, that this is an observational study that cannot establish a cause and effect relationship and call for further research on the subject.
It should be remembered that it is advisable to consult a health professional before incorporating food supplements, including fish oil, alongside your diet.
Heart health: how to take care of your heart?
On its website, Health Insurance draws up a list of recommendations to follow to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. They advise following a balanced diet, “by frequently eating fish, fruits and vegetables, and favoring the use of vegetable oils (olive, rapeseed and nuts)”. In addition, they recommend limiting products containing added sugars, which are found in particular in prepared meals, and limiting snacking.
Finally, adopting an active lifestyle allows you to take care of your heart. As a reminder, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that those over 18 years of age “dedicate at least 150 to 300 minutes per week to moderate-intensity endurance activity”
Sources :
- Regular fish oil supplement use might boost first time heart disease and stroke risk – BMJ Medicine( communiqué)
- Regular use of fish oil supplements and course of cardiovascular diseases: prospective cohort study – BMJ Medicine.
- How to reduce your cardiovascular risk? – Health Insurance
- Physical activity – World Health Organization (WHO)
