Study: omega-3s benefit wide range of patients

New research suggests that people with heart disease and type 2 diabetes, mothers and children, and those considered at risk of related disorders may benefit from consuming omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from fish oils. The findings are published in the June 2007 editions of the Fats of Life e-newsletter and the PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid) newsletter for health professionals.

The study, which was conducted by researchers in Japan, examined the effects of the addition of eicosapentenoic acid to cholesterol-lowering statins in more than 18,000 patients with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels over a four and a half year period.

The results showed that EPA plus a statin brought about a 19% reduction in the number of coronary events compared with those using statins alone. In addition, the combination was associated with 19% fewer non-fatal coronary episodes and a 24% reduction in heart spasms.