Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

A recent meta-analysis published by the Mayo Clinical Proceedings found that the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic omega-3 fatty acid (DHA) reduced the risk of heart disease in patients.

Researchers located 18 randomized control trials and 16 prospective cohort studies in Ovid/Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. They used random-effects meta-analysis models to generate relative risk estimates, examined subgroups through sensitivity analyses and meta-regression, and evaluated dose-responses.
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According to their findings, the randomized control trials calculated a not statistically significant 6% reduction in coronary heart disease in participants using EPA and DHA, and the prospective studies calculated a 18% reduction in participants.

In the subgroups, the randomized control trials indicated significant reduction of coronary heart disease risks in high-risk participants using EPA and DHA, including individuals with elevated triglyceride levels and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A higher dose of EPA and DHA, above 1 gram per day, was associated with a stronger impact in participants with elevated triglyceride levels than those consuming less than 1 gram per day.

Overall, the researchers conclude that the data from the meta-analysis supports the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Task Force’s recommended addition of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids to dietary patterns to prevent coronary heart disease. The findings indicate that individuals with elevated triglyceride levels and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol benefit the most from consuming EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Alexander D, Miller PE, Van Elswyk ME, Kuratko CN, Bylsma LC. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic long chain omega-3 fatty acids and coronary heart disease risk [published online January 2017]. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.10.018.