It is attributed to everything from reducing joint discomfort to promoting cardiovascular and cognitive well-being.
Fish oil, which is abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, is frequently suggested as part of a diet to prevent the onset of heart diseases.
However, recent studies indicate that consuming this widely used supplement might actually elevate the likelihood of heart disease and strokes among individuals who are otherwise healthy, whereas it may lower this risk for people who have previously experienced such conditions.
This research, encompassing over 415,000 British individuals, examined the link between fish oil supplements and instances of atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke, as well as fatal heart failure.
They evaluated the impact of these supplements on the likelihood of moving from optimal cardiac health to the second phase of atrial fibrillation, and further to severe cardiovascular incidents like myocardial infarction and mortality.
Approximately one-third—130,365 individuals—in the age group of 40-69 reported regular use of fish oil supplements. This included a significant representation from older adults, Caucasians, and females.
The consumption of alcohol and the frequency of eating oily fish compared to non-oily fish increased as well. Meanwhile, the percentages of individuals who currently smoke cigarettes and those residing in economically disadvantaged regions decreased.
In a subsequent study after 12 years, 18,367 individuals were found to have developed atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat condition. Additionally, 22,636 experienced either a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, and 22,140 participants passed away during this period.
Among those who experienced heart failure, 2,436 passed away, along with 2,088 individuals who had a stroke, and another 2,098 who had a heart attack, as reported in the findings published in BMJ Medicine.
The regular use of fish oil supplements played varying roles in maintaining cardiovascular health, managing disease progression, and reducing mortality, according to the findings.
Individuals who consistently utilized them without showing any symptoms of illness exhibited a 13 percent increased likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation and a five percent elevated chance of experiencing a stroke.
However, for individuals with cardiovascular disease initially, consistent use of fish oil supplements decreased the likelihood of advancing from atrial fibrillation to a heart attack by 15 percent and from heart failure to mortality by nine percent.
The likelihood of moving from optimal health to experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure was 6% greater for women. Similarly, this probability increased by 6% for nonsmokers who were taking fish oil supplements.
At the same time, the protective impact of these supplements against moving from good health to mortality was more pronounced in males (a 7 percent reduction in risk) and among older individuals (an 11 percent decrease in risk).
Led by Sun Yat-Sen University in China, the research team acknowledges certain limitations of their study, such as the absence of data regarding the dosage and formulation of fish oil used. Experts believe this information might have been crucial for interpreting the outcomes accurately.
Despite this, they conclude: 'The regular consumption of fish oil supplements could potentially play varied roles in the development of cardiovascular diseases.'
'Additional research is required to elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying the development and outcomes of cardiovascular diseases associated with consistent use of fish oil supplements.'
This is not the initial study to reach such conclusions; a Cochrane review from 2018 examined 79 trials and found that it had 'little or no impact' on reducing risks associated with cardiovascular events, coronary heart deaths, coronary heart disease occurrences, strokes, or arrhythmias.
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