Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease

In this interview with Dr. Lee Hooper we find out more about this new Cochrane review -Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseaseTell us about this Cochrane ReviewThere is a great deal of public belief in the cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 fats.   Intakes of long-chain omega-3 fats in the US are higher from dietary supplements than foods.  But public health advice differs across countries. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK encourages people to eat oily fish intake (the major source of long-chain omega-3 f ats) but discourages supplementation.  The American Heart Association in the US also recommends eating oily fish and suggests that supplements may also be needed.  We were interested in the evidence – are omega-3 fats protective, and how protective?  We assessed effects of long-chain omega-3 fa ts give as oily fish and as supplements, and we also assessed effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, the shorter chain omega-3 found in plant oils) given as foods or supplements.It is an update, what has changed (studies, inclusion of new trial, quality of these trials)We ran this update because three very large trials of several years ’ duration assessing effects of long-chain omega-3 supplements on cardiovascular outcomes were published in late 2018 and early 2019.  These boosted the numbers of people randomised into relevant trials for at least 12 months by over 30%, so had the potential to a...
Source: Cochrane News and Events - Category: Information Technology Authors: Source Type: news