According to a study, continuous intake of omega-3 supplements may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in healthy individuals. The research was conducted by a team from Washington University in St. Louis, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in the UK, Zhongshan University in China, University of Aalborg in Denmark, and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.
The study involved tracking the medical records of 41,5737 individuals aged 40-69 in the UK Biobank who regularly took omega-3 supplements for an average of 12 years. Results showed that participants without cardiovascular diseases who took omega-3 supplements had an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke, with a 13% higher risk in atrial fibrillation and a 5% higher risk in stroke. The risk was higher for women and non-smokers in heart failure occurrence.
On the other hand, participants with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases who took omega-3 supplements experienced positive effects. Regular intake of omega-3 reduced the risk of progression from atrial fibrillation to heart failure by 15% and decreased the risk of death from heart failure by 9%. The protective effects of omega-3 were more significant in men (7% risk reduction) and older participants (11% risk reduction).
The researchers noted that the majority of participants in the study were Caucasian, so the results may not be directly applicable to other ethnic groups. Professor Ge Chen from Zhongshan University, who led the study, emphasized that while continuous intake of omega-3 may pose risks for healthy individuals, it can be beneficial for patients with cardiovascular vulnerabilities.
The study results were published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on May 21st.