Omega-3 fatty acids and the heart: New evidence, more questions

This study enrolled over 8,000 patients with elevated cardiovascular risk and high blood triglyceride levels. They assigned half of the study participants to receive 2 grams of Vascepa twice a day, and assigned the other participants a placebo (a pill filled with mineral oil). The results showed a significant benefit of Vascepa over the placebo. Vascepa reduced blood triglyceride levels, but more importantly, it reduced the number of heart attacks and strokes, the need for a heart stenting procedure to open clogged arteries, and death. A subsequent meta-analysis, which included data from over 10 studies, found fish oil omega‐3 supplements lowered risk for heart attack and death from coronary heart disease. In December 2020, the FDA approved the use of Vascepa to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in certain patients with, or at high risk for, CVD. STRENGTH trial casts some doubt on omega-3 benefits But a recent study has raised some questions. The STRENGTH trial, published in JAMA, looked at a different formulation of omega-3 fish oil — a combination of EPA and DHA — to see if it would also reduce cardiovascular risk. This study enrolled over 13,000 patients who were randomized to receive either the EPA/DHA combination pill or the placebo (a pill filled with corn oil). The trial was terminated early due to an interim analysis revealing no difference between the two treatment groups. We don’t know for certain why the REDUCE-IT trial showed a benefit from omega-3s...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Drugs and Supplements Heart Health Vitamins and supplements Source Type: blogs