由 home-healthhaven 
Over the past few years, omega-3 supplements have been widely promoted as a simple way to prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease. Medical experts on TV shows, in magazines, and in commercials have frequently highlighted the importance of taking fish oil supplements if you don’t get enough nutrients from your diet. However, in September 2012, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that omega-3 supplements do not actually lower the risk of heart disease.
People in societies that eat a lot of fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and tuna tend to have lower rates of heart disease. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries. Less plaque means blood can flow more easily. Omega-3s also lower triglycerides, a type of fat used for energy, and high triglyceride levels can increase heart disease risk. Based on this, the medical community previously thought that if people didn’t eat enough fatty fish, taking omega-3 supplements would provide the same benefits.
Dr. Evangelos Rizos from the University Hospital of Ioannina in Greece, along with other scientists, analyzed 20 clinical trials from 1989 to 2012 to see if omega-3 supplements improved heart health. These trials involved 68,680 volunteers who took either 1.5 grams of omega-3 supplements or a placebo daily for two years. The researchers tracked incidences of heart attack, stroke, and death from heart disease.
Their analysis found that the supplement users had an 11% lower rate of heart attacks and a 9% lower rate of death from heart disease compared to the placebo group. However, these differences were too small to be statistically significant.
Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in May 2012 also found no benefit from omega-3 supplements. This study looked at 14 clinical trials with 20,485 patients who had a history of heart disease. The results showed that patients who took omega-3 supplements had cardiovascular issues at roughly the same rate as those who didn’t.
The results of studies on omega-3 supplements in preventing or reducing heart problems have been mixed. Some researchers suggest that people with heart conditions may have needed higher doses for omega-3s to improve their health. Additionally, it’s unclear how other medications the participants were taking might have affected the results. In some earlier trials, participants knew they were taking the supplements, which could have skewed the results.
Scientists typically use blinding in studies to prevent participants from knowing if they’re getting the actual supplement or a placebo. This helps ensure that any health improvements are due to the supplement and not to the participants’ expectations or the body’s natural healing.
Despite ongoing debates about the cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 supplements, the American Heart Association still recommends eating 2 to 3 servings of fatty fish per week. The fatty acids and antioxidants from fish have consistently shown a preventive effect on heart disease.
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