Fish Oil? Or snake oil?

In 2012, a major study looking at omega-3 fats in fish and fish oil found that there was no protective benefit for overall mortality, heart disease mortality, sudden cardiac death, heart attack or stroke. (1)

So why do we all think that fish oil and fish oil capsules are a health benefit? Back in 1980, a landmark study called “Diet and Reinfarction Trail” (DART)(2) involving 2,000 men showed a 29 % lower mortality for men who ate fatty fish. That’s impressive. It grabbed a lot of attention and the fish oil supplement industry was born.

But in 2007, the same group of researchers repeating the same study - DART-2(3) - but with even MORE (3,000) men and found the exact opposite. Those who ate fatty fish - and especially those who ate fish oil capsules - had a HIGHER risk of cardiac death. (3)

Repeated studies have been equally conclusive - doctors need to get out of the snake oil business and back to telling their patients about a whole foods plant based diet!

(1) Rizos EC, Ntzard EE, Bika E, Kostapanos MS, Elisaf MS. Association between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and risk of major cardiovascular disease events; a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;308(10);1024-33.

(2) Burr ML, Fehily AM, Gilbert JF, et al. Effects of changes in fat, fish, and fibre intakes on death and myocardial infarction; diet and reinfarction trial (DART). Lancer. 1989; 2(8666); 757-61

(3) Burr, ML. Secondary prevention of CHD in UK men: the Diet and Reinfarction Trial and its sequel. Proc Nutr Soc. 2007; 66(1), 9-15.