New Fish Oil Research Leads to Misleading Conclusions About Heart Risks, Says FARI

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The Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI, Sioux Falls, SD) says a new study published in BMJ suggests fish oil supplements can be dangerous, sparking dozens of misleading headlines in mainstream media.

The study in question looked at incidents of atrial fibrillation, other major cardiovascular issues and death, identified through hospital records and death registries. The goal was to determine the role of fish oil supplements in different progressive stages of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to FARI.

“Specifically, the study estimated the associations between fish oil supplement usage and specific clinical cardiovascular disease outcomes, including atrial fibrillation, major adverse cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality in people with no known cardiovascular disease or at high risk of cardiovascular disease, for the purpose of primary prevention,” the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) said in a statement. “They also assessed the modifying effects of fish oil supplements on the disease process, from atrial fibrillation to other outcomes, in people with known cardiovascular disease, for the purpose of secondary prevention.”

The study authors conclude regular fish oil supplementation could pose a risk to heart health, specifically an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. They also concluded consuming fish oil is fine, but supplements are not, the institute said.

“Headlines around the world are blaring ‘Fish oil supplements cause heart disease!’ which is a serious misrepresentation of, not only this specific study, but of the field at large,” said Dr. William S. Harris, president of FARI.

FARI highlighted numerous points of contention with the study. First, the institute says the study is in stark contrast to the mounting body of evidence on fish oil. Of the six “significant” associations identified in BMJ, five were positively associated with fish oil supplements and one wasn’t. The latter is what made headlines.

FARI also said the researchers failed to discuss any of the 16 studies from UK Biobank identifying positive effects of fish oil. Finally, self-reported fish oil supplement use is a far less objective measure of omega-3 intake compared to actual blood levels.

“This new BMJ study seemingly takes omega-3 research a step back, especially given the sensational headlines it has generated,” Harris said. “The mainstream press conclusions from this study are simply overblown, disappointing and reckless. Fish oil isn’t the danger. These headlines are.”

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) responded to the study: “It is important to note that for individuals already diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions, the study found that regular fish oil supplementation had several beneficial effects. Specifically, it reduced the risk of transitioning from atrial fibrillation to major adverse cardiovascular events and from atrial fibrillation to myocardial infarction. Moreover, it showed a protective effect in reducing the risk of death in patients with heart failure, with hazard ratios indicating lower risks for these transitions. The study also had several limitations. As an observational study, it could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, there may be residual confounding factors that were not fully accounted for considering the complex, multi-factorial etiology of CVD. The study also lacked data on the specific dosage and formulation of the fish oil supplements used by participants. Furthermore, the predominantly white participant group limits the generalizability of the results to other populations. And, as the authors suggest, more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and potential influencing factors.”

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