One supplement not mentioned in Controversy 7 was fish oil. I immediately noticed that it was missing because of it's popularity in the media and the fact that my dad has been taking fish oil supplements for as long as I can remember. Moreover, I have recently been encouraged by my doctor to do so as well in order to maintain healthy cholesterol levels despite a poor family history with cholesterol.
Websites such as http://www.builtlean.com/2012/01/19/fish-oil-supplements, and numerous advertisements describe fish oil as one of the few supplements that is worth consideration. Builtlean.com characterizes fish oil as "well-researched, safe, and effective". Fish oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) which are essential to our diets (Wei, Wei, & Xiaoying, 2012). Sizer and Whitney (2012) write that, "When the highly unsaturated EPA and DHA amass in cell membranes, they profoundly change cellular structures and activities thought to benefit the heart" (167). These fatty acids appear to lower blood pressure and prevent clotting and irregular heartbeats (Sizer and Whitney, 2012). Fish oil is widely advertised as being beneficial in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and that claim is even found on bottles containing the supplement.
However, upon researching the effects of fish oil, the results were much less conclusive. One study concluded that fish oil supplements had no effect on vascular function but blood serum triglycerides were reduced (Wong et al., 2010). Another study found that fish oil supplements did improve cardiac function (Wei, Wei, & Xiaoying, 2012). The supplements reportedly improved left ventricular systolic function and peak oxygen consumption in their sample population of patients with chronic heart failure. The study is believed to indicate that the remodeling and improvement in heart function due to fish oil supplements may prove to be an effective therapy for chronic heart failure. Nevertheless, and article on Forbes.com reports another disappointment for fish oil supplement studies. The article summarizes the results of the Italian Risk and Prevention Study and concluded that there is no benefit to taking fish oil supplements.
Despite the conflicting results regarding the benefits of fish oil supplements, Dariush Mozaffarian, a researcher quoted by Forbes, says, "Recommendations to eat fish, in the context of an overall healthy diet, increasing activity, and stopping smoking, should remain the priority for reducing risk. Still, there was no evidence that fish oil supplements cause any harm or risk, so for patients who won’t eat fish or wish to be sure they are getting their omega-3′s, there is no reason to stop taking fish oil supplements if they are already on them" (http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryhusten/2013/05/08/another-disappointing-study-for-fish-oil-supplements/).
As Controversy 7 recommends, until more research is able to more conclusively determine the effects of fish oil supplements, a diet including a wide variety of nutritious foods is the best way to ensure that nutrition needs are met.
Sizer, F.S. and Whitney, E. (2012). Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. United States: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Wong, C. Y., Yiu, K. H., Li, S. W., Lee, S. S., Tam, S. S., Lau, C. P., & Tse, H. F. (2010). Fish- oil supplement has neutral effects on vascular and metabolic function but improves renal function in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetic Medicine, 27(1), 54-60. doi:10.1111/j.1464-5491.2009.02869.x
Wei, X., Wei, W., & Xiaoying, L. (2012). Effects of fish oil supplementation on cardiac function in chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Heart, 98(22), 1620-1625. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2012-302119
http://www.builtlean.com/2012/01/19/fish-oil-supplements/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryhusten/2013/05/08/another-disappointing-study-for-fish-oil-supplements/
I have been interested in fish oil supplements for several years. Both my mom and my dad take fish oil for the heart and cholesterol benefits it is claimed to provide. They were encouraged to take the fish oil by their medical provider.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to get my husband to take it because his family has a history of high cholesterol and his own cholesterol tends to be high. He took the fish oil for a short time but stopped because he claimed he did not like the taste, and I’m not sure he was completely sold on the benefits.
I was a little surprised by the research discussed in your blog that there is no hard proof that taking a fish oil supplement will have that great of a benefit on the heart. After reading the research, I do feel a little better about my husband not taking fish oil supplements because there is no conclusive evidence they will help him much. Instead, I think I will encourage him to continue to eat fish as a more regular part of his diet and exercise. Those both have more proven track records for helping the heart.
I grew up in a family where an array of supplements (including fish oils), were regularly place on our plates before dinner. Both of my parents and their spouses also take them. It is truly amazing how word of mouth can overpower the conclusiveness or rather inconclusiveness of scientific research. Do you think you will mention this to your dad?
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