If you're healthy, daily fish oil supplements may carry risks

Fish oil supplements don't work for everyone, and recent studies paint a mixed picture. Omega-3 fatty acids Found in fish oil Triglycerides Although it may improve heart health, other studies have shown that high intakes of fish oil may increase the risk of heart disease. Atrial fibrillation (AFib)People with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk for other cardiovascular diseases, including: stroke, Blood clotsand heart failure.

A new study has been published. BMJ Medicine Fish oil supplements were found to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by 13% and the risk of stroke by 5% in people with no history of heart disease.

“The general consensus is that taking commercial fish oil is not harmful and may actually be beneficial. However, BMJmaybe not.” Monica Sanchez Shields, MD“We're not seeing patients with pulmonary circulation problems,” a cardiovascular specialist at UTHealth Houston who was not involved in the study told Verywell in an email.

The complex relationship between fish oil and heart health

The risks associated with fish oil supplements may not apply to patients who already have heart disease. For those with heart failure, fish oil supplements can reduce inflammation and improve heart function.

of BMJ Medicine The study showed that for participants with heart disease, fish oil supplements were associated with a reduced risk of disease progression leading to heart attack and death.

“This may be due to the anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil,” Sanchez-Shields said. “Overall, it appears that more research is needed in this area to fully understand these results.”

Evidence regarding the association between fish oil supplements and the risk of atrial fibrillation is also mixed: one 2021 trial found that fish oil had no effect on the risk of atrial fibrillation, but a meta-analysis published the same year suggested that taking more than 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per day increased the risk of atrial fibrillation by 49%.

A typical fish oil supplement contains about 1,000 mg of fish oil and 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the two main omega-3 components, although formulations and dosages vary widely between brands.

There are no official safe levels of omega-3, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends: Said Dietary supplements providing 5 grams or less of EPA and DHA per day are generally safe when used as recommended or suggested on the label.

A study conducted by the American Heart Association found that taking 4 grams of combined EPA and DHA per day was effective in treating very high triglycerides.

“Prescription fish oil is very effective in lowering high triglyceride levels and is often used with this type of patient,” Sanchez-Shields says.

How to Determine If Fish Oil is Right for You

The USDA recommends that most adults eat at least 8 ounces of seafood each week to get omega-3 fatty acids.

“If your intake is low, a fish oil supplement may be helpful.” Lena Beal, MS, RDN, LDCardiovascular Dietitian at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

Supplements can help certain people meet their daily omega-3 needs, avoid deficiencies and manage health conditions, but fatty fish like salmon, sardines and herring may be better for heart health than supplements alone, Beal added.

There is no evidence that fish oil supplements reduce the risk of heart disease, but people who eat seafood 1 to 4 times a week are less likely to die from heart disease.

Most experts recommend prioritizing getting omega-3s from food sources, such as oily fish, rather than supplements, because whole foods contain additional beneficial nutrients.

” BMJ “This study may serve as a reminder that eating a healthy diet may be more effective for heart health than taking over-the-counter supplements,” Sanchez-Shields said.