The study investigated the clinical benefits of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) in preventing and treating coronary heart disease (CHD). Given the mixed opinions on the effectiveness of omega-3 FAs, this research focused on understanding its impact on different patient subgroups. The methodology involved analyzing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with at least 1,000 patients, comparing omega-3 FA supplementation with a control group. The study measured the relative risk (RR) of various outcomes, including all-cause death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and revascularization. Special attention was paid to the cardiovascular risk associated with omega-3 FA in various CHD stages, different dosages, and among patients with diabetes or of different sexes.
The results, derived from 14 clinical RCTs involving 135,291 subjects, showed that omega-3 FA supplementation reduced the risk of MACE, cardiovascular death, and MI, though it did not significantly affect all-cause death, stroke, and revascularization. Notably, omega-3 FAs were particularly effective in acute MI patients, reducing the incidence of MACE and cardiovascular death. They also lowered the risk of MI and stroke in CHD patients and the risk of MI in high-risk CHD patients. An omega-3 FA dosage of 0.8–1.2 g was found to be most effective in reducing risks. The study concluded that omega-3 FA supplementation positively impacts reducing MACE, cardiovascular death, and MI incidences, effective across various CHD stages. The specific dosage range of 0.8–1.2 g was more beneficial than lower or higher doses.
Original Publication:
Shen, S., Gong, C., Jin, K., Zhou, L., & Xiao, Y. (2022). Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Coronary Heart Disease Risks: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 809311.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.809311
