Oméga 3 Oil supplementation & AF - new study

[CDreamer]

This perennial subject always elicits some discussion. This new study looks at the dosage & the differing conclusions prior studies have come to.

Again Medscape - sorry

medscape.org/viewarticle/96...

[CDreamer]

This is just exert but gives a flavour

Pooled DataAfter screening 4049 articles and abstracts, the researchers included in their analysis 7 large-scale randomized controlled trials reporting cardiovascular outcomes of marine omega-3 fatty acids.

The trials reported results for AF as a prespecified outcome, adverse event, or reason for hospitalization. Each had a minimum of 500 patients and a median follow-up of at least 1 year.

Trials examining the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on recurrent AF in patients with established AF or postoperative AF were excluded.

The 7 trials enrolled a total of 81,210 patients (mean age, 65 years; 39% women); 72.6% of participants were enrolled in clinical trials testing 1 g or less of marine omega-3 fatty acids per day and 27.4% were enrolled in clinical trials testing more than 1 g of the supplement per day. The weighted average follow-up was 4.9 years.

Overall, use of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a 25% increased risk for AF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.46; P=.013).

In analyses stratified by dose, the risk for AF was "significantly more pronounced" in trials testing high doses of marine omega-3 fatty acid supplements (>1 g per day: HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.04-2.15; P=.042) compared with those testing lower doses (≤1 g per day: HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.22; P=.024; P for interaction<.001).

In meta-regression, the HR for AF increased per 1-g increase in daily omega-3 fatty acid dose (HR. 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.15; P=.001).

Dosage might be worth controlling if you take Omega 3.

[Gladstone001 in reply to CDreamer]

Interesting,Probably best to avoid Omega-3 if your main problem is AF. However, the benefits of Omega-3 for other heart issues suggests that they have a part to play.

For me, my main issue is PAF and thus I avoid Omega-3 and stick with opther supplements.

Thanks for the link

Gladstone

[CDreamer in reply to Gladstone001]

My conclusion also

[Rosemaryb1349 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for this information I have often wondered if I should be taking Omega 3 oils but have always taken Star Flower Oil (Borage) so thought that would be enough. I hope this does not fall into same category. Rosie

[PlanetaryKim]

Thanks for sharing! I didn't even know that omega-3 fatty acid supplements are associated with a higher risk for AF. I have never been able to use them because of increase in bleeding I have anytime I take them.

[KentAndrew]

Wow!I have been taking non-marine Omega 3 supplements for years prior to AF diagnosis thinking that it was contributing to my health.

[CDreamer in reply to KentAndrew]

The full study says it may be helpful for cardiovascular disease, certainly it can be helpful for brain efficiency but at a dose of 1g bd the study participants showed higher incidences of AF. And after all we were told it was good for us for years. My GP practice even engaged in their own study to see if it helped in reducing stroke in AF. Just demonstrates how careful we need to be.

By all means continue to take at below 1g but also beware that if you take anticoagulants Omega3, especially marine based Omega3 could enhance the efficacy of anticoagulants and therefor increase your bleed risk.

[Camelia23 in reply to CDreamer]

Just read this and was quite shocked that it had this effect!

[DutchCloud]

Thank you CDreamer for the good articles from Medscape. It’s sometimes ‘amazing’ that after years the research brings some complete other results then all the other research before thanks to the meta data. Used for years not the high doses.

Appreciate your efforts to inform us.

[MyCloud]

Important to look at dosage used in the trials - upto 4g fish oil. Am sure few of us take more than 1g per day and at that dose little effect on AF incidence

[irene75359]

Thank you for posting that, very interesting. I have taken 2mg of Omega3 for years (although not at the moment). I admit getting frustrated as one gets older, having moderated lifestyle some years previously due to studies showing harmful effects of certain foods, drink and supplements. A long time ago I gave up coffee for many years as studies then showed a marked detrimental effect on the heart; now later thinking is that coffee does no harm to the heart at all.

[Auriculaire in reply to irene75359]

A bit like the saturated/polyunsaturated fat controversies not to mention eggs! I never switched over from butter to "spreads". I figured that something that tasted so nasty and was made in a factory with lots of chemical processes couldn't possibly be good for you.

[irene75359 in reply to Auriculaire]

Absolutely!

[Finvola]

Thank you for this CD. I was just thinking of going back up to 1g per day after several years on 500mg. Think I'll now leave well alone . . .

[Deb1838]

Can anyone confirm that you shouldn’t take omega 3 if you are on anticoagulant

I was told it increases likelihood of bleeding

[CDreamer in reply to Deb1838]

I wouldn’t comment because I can’t find any evidence through research either way but many believe that it could increase the efficacy of the anticoagulants. That’s different to increase likelihood of bleeding because anticoagulants don’t cause bleeds, they inhibit clotting. Trouble is that any trial to see would be considered unethical as if true ou would increase risk. Personally I would do one or other.

[JudiHalf in reply to Deb1838]

I take one capsule of fish oil a day and have done for a while, also take anti coag Riveroxaban, I took the fish oil to help with dry eyes which it has done, I don’t think it’s had any effect on my PAF, some things like caffeine and chocolate definitely do make it worse.