Clinical trials conducted a few years ago suggested that fish oil supplements, rich in omega 3, could help people at high cardiovascular risk. A new study in Italy proves the opposite. This type of supplement would have no effect on people already being treated with medicines.
“In a large group of patients with multiple cardiovascular risks, it was found that taking daily omega 3 fatty acid supplements did not reduce mortality and morbidity,” conclude the authors of the study published by the New England Journal of Medicine.
Useless or beneficial?
The clinical trial in question was carried out on 12,513 Italians. 6,244 of them took omega 3 and 6,269 received an olive oil-based placebo. About twelve years later, researchers found a death rate, stroke and heart attack of nearly 12% in each group. The proof that fish oil rich in omega 3 has no effect on this type of patient. Its benefits for the brain, some eye diseases, depression and the cardiovascular system are still relevant.
