Fish Oil Supplements

The National Heart Foundation is reviewing its dietary advice on fish oil supplements after new Victorian research found they do not prevent heart disease. The research found no clear benefit to taking Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty-acid (fish oil) supplements to reduce heart disease but that eating fish provides a benefit for reduction of heart disease. The research was published in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation and was undertaken by experts in cardiology, heart disease and nutrition from Melbourne’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, the University of South Australia and CSIRO.

Lifestyle remains the most important way to prevent heart disease – get more exercise, maintain a healthy weight and stop smoking. Seek all the support you need to do this.

Learn More: Do I need vitamins and supplements to be healthy?

It is possible that the favourable results for fish consumption are also related to intake of other foods. Eating fish regularly is sometimes a surrogate for healthier dietary patterns that may include reduced intakes of foods considered less healthy and a diet high in vegetables, pulses and fruit and low in red meat.

It is also possible that other constituents of fish also have protective properties.

Current Heart Foundation recommendations (including the findings from this review)

• Include 2-3 serves of fish per week (including oily fish) – which provides 250-500mg DHA and EPA.
• Oily fish include: salmon, blue-eye trevalla, blue mackerel, herring, sardines & some varieties of canned tuna.
• Include plant sources of ALA in the diet (canola oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil, linseeds and walnuts)
• Consider omega-3 supplements for individuals with heart failure in addition to standard therapy
• Take omega-3s for reducing triglycerides.