SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) today issued a statement following news reports that brought into question the heart health benefits of omega-3s EPA and DHA:
On March 31, The New York Times published an article titled, “Fading claims on fish oils.” The article suggests that the majority of clinical trials measuring effects of fish oil have found no evidence that fish oil lowers risk for heart attack or stroke.
Experts believe, based on numerous gold-standard research studies, that omega-3s EPA and DHA do support heart health. The evidence consistently shows that EPA and DHA reduce risk of cardiac death, maintain healthy blood pressure and keep triglycerides in check, all of which are aspects of heart disease.
“The bottom line is EPA and DHA omega-3s are nutrients we need, and a healthier diet also means a healthier heart,” said Dr. Bill Harris, an internationally recognized expert on EPA and DHA omega-3s. “There is a substantial body of evidence that suggests omega-3s are good for heart health, and I continue to recommend that everyone consume omega-3s.”
The body does not efficiently produce EPA and DHA on its own. Therefore, to maintain healthy omega-3 levels it’s important to consume at least two serving per week of omega-3-rich seafood, like salmon, or take an omega-3 supplement. Here’s an overview of the science supporting the heart health benefits of omega-3s EPA and DHA:
Reducing Cardiovascular Death Risk
Every meta-analysis of the gold-standard human clinical trials published in the last 10 years consistently finds a significant benefit to omega-3 consumption for cardiac (or coronary) death risk. Data from all of these studies show fish oil consumption reduces cardiac death risk between approximately 10 and 30 percent.
| Meta-Analysis |
Number of Studies Included in |
Coronary Death Risk Reduction | |||||
| 14 | 12% (p=0.003) | ||||||
| Casula et al, 2013 | 11 | 32% (p<0.05) | |||||
| Kotwal et al, 2012 | 20 | 14% (p=0.03) | |||||
| Rizos et al, 2012 | 20 | 9% (p=0.01) | |||||
| Kwak et al, 2012 | 14 | 9% (p<0.05) | |||||
| Chen et al, 2011 | 10 | 19% (p<0.05) | |||||
| Marik et al, 2009 | 11 | 13% (p=0.002) | |||||
| Zhao et al, 2009 | 8 | 29% (p=0.05) | |||||
| Leon et al, 2008 | 11 | 20% (p=0.002) | |||||
| Wang et al, 2006 | 4 | 35% (p<0.05) | |||||
Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure
The most recent meta-analysis of EPA/DHA’s impact on blood pressure found that fish oil can reduce systolic blood pressure by approximately the same amount as lifestyle interventions – like reduced sodium intake, increased physical activity and decreased alcohol consumption – in people who are not being treated with pharmaceutical drugs for high blood pressure.
Maintaining Healthy Triglyceride Levels
To date, 22 meta-analyses of clinical trials evaluating the triglyceride-lowering effects of EPA and DHA have been published. Every single one of these studies concludes fish oils reduce triglyceride levels. The effects observed are consistent across different groups of people, including healthy people, diabetics, cardiovascular disease patients, people with HIV, kidney transplant patients, and more.
Dr. Bill Harris is available for further comment.
For more information about the heart health benefits of omega-3s and to test omega-3 levels, visit AlwaysOmega3s.com.
About GOED: GOED is an association of the world’s finest processors, refiners, manufacturers, distributors, marketers, retailers and supporters of products containing Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids. The organization's objectives are to educate consumers about the health benefits of EPA/DHA, and work with government groups, the healthcare community and the industry, while setting high standards for its business sector. GOED and its members are committed to personal integrity, ethical corporate behavior, public safety and quality assurance. For more information, visit www.goedomega3.com.