Although epidemiological studies show that people who eat fish are less prone to death from heart disease, trials of fish oil have been less promising. The latest, a Canadian study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, was a randomized controlled trial of 337 people with atrial fibrillation. This common heart rhythm abnormality can lead to a heart rate as fast as 150 beats a minute.
Volunteers in the trial took either 4 grams of fish oil or placebo daily for as long as 16 months. Sadly, those taking fish oil did not have fewer bouts of atrial fibrillation than those on placebo, nor did they have evidence of lower levels of inflammation.
The lead author suggested that a Mediterranean diet (which contains more fish than meat) might be preferable to fish oil supplements, although it would presumably not be a substitute for appropriate medical treatment of this serious condition.
[Journal of the American College of Cardiology, online Sept 29, 2014]
There is more information on how to follow a Mediterranean diet in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.
11/26/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/can-fish-oil-really-help-your-heart/
