Omega-3 and cardiovascular disease
 Based on studies in tens of thousands of patients, researchers from New Orleans and Baltimore suggest daily targets for treatment with omega-3.
First, the details.
- The most compelling evidence for cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 fatty acids comes from 4 studies of nearly 40,000 participants.
- Studies covered prevention of a 1st heart attack, use after a heart attack, and most recently, in patients with heart failure.
And, the results.
- The strongest evidence for omega-3 is in patients with established cardiovascular disease and following a heart attack, with up to a 30% reduction in death due to these conditions.
- Fish oil also decreases the risk of atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, heart attack, sudden cardiac death and health failure.
- The risk of death due to heart failures is reduced 9%.
The bottom line?
The authors recommend that healthy people should take 500 mg daily of omega-3 fish oil.
People with known heart disease or heart failure should take at least 800 to 1,000 mg daily.
Speak with your doctor.
8/1/09 21:02 JR
