Consuming high levels of fish oil supplements doesn't reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation or improve the health condition of people suffering from this illness, a new study finds.
The study was conducted by researchers from Montreal Heart Institute. For the study, researchers examined 337 patients with atrial fibrillation. None of the patients were receiving conventional antiarrhythmic therapy for their illness. All participants were randomly assigned to 4 grams of fish oil a day or to placebo for up to 16 months. Researchers found that 64.1 percent of patients who had received fish oil experienced had a recurrence of atrial fibrillation compared to 63.2 percent of those taking placebo. Additionally, researchers also noted that fish oil supplements did not reduce inflammation or oxidative stress markers, which may explain its lack of efficacy.
"Fish oil has no role in the rhythm-control management of atrial fibrillation," said lead investigator Dr. Anil Nigam, Cardiologist at the Montreal Heart Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Montreal in a press statement. "What is well-known and should be recommended to prevent heart disease and reduce blood pressure is a Mediterranean-type diet rich in natural omega-3 fats and other nutrients, including fresh fruits and veggies, legumes, olive oil, while lowering intake of red meat, trans fats and saturated fats. We believe that such a strategy might also be beneficial for the treatment of atrial fibrillation although more studies are required."
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia and affects more than 350,000 Canadians. Patients suffering from this condition experience irregular heartbeat in which the heart can beat as fast as 150 beats a minute. Researchers predict that the number of people with atrial fibrillation is bound to increase as the American population ages. Risk factors of this condition include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and underlying heart disease.
Findings of this study were published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
