Omega 3 fish oil - again!

I have checked the archive for previous comments on Omega 3 fish oil supplements, and there are a couple now more than ten years old.

I wondered if there have been any recent updates or new research findings to clarify the utility of this supplement?

I am aware that my diet is probably deficient in this regard, and am thinking of starting on 1000mg per day for general health and possible lowering of BP and triglyceride levels. Your observations would be most helpful. For info, I also take Apixaban (anti-coagulent) and Amlodipine (for mild hypertension).

6 Comments

Omega 3 Fish Oils

by Penguin - 2023-11-22 07:42:40

NewtoPace may be your best bet for up to date research on this topic.  She's put a lot of time into researching fish oils and alternatives. 

Nice to hear from you

by Gemita - 2023-11-22 07:55:28

Agree with Penguin, new to pace has done a number of posts about fish oils that might be of interest. Do ask her or scroll down some of her posts.

I see from research papers that they recommend decreasing the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio to help reduce the inflammatory response to any high-fat meal for example.  Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids act to prevent chronic low grade inflammation.  Using Omega-3 to suppress low grade inflammation may benefit numerous chronic diseases such a Rheumatoid Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, obesity and heart failure, while the consumption of Omega-6 oils may have the opposite effect.  See links below:-

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8504498/#:~:text=Up until about 100 years,perpetuates chronic low-grade inflammation.

https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/2/e000946

Of course it goes without saying that before you start any supplements, you should tell your doctor what you intend taking, why and the dosage, since I note that you are on Apixaban and there may be some interaction or increased bleeding risk?

fish oil

by new to pace.... - 2023-11-22 07:58:16

Thanks Penguin when i saw this topic was thinking i should post.

Yes i was told to take Fish oil, then i looked on line an saw that it could cause A-Fib which of course i have.  Certainly did not want to take.   Plus am a vegan.  Then i found an that Algae oil was good to take.  For me that also caused more Afib episodes.  The better way to get your fish oil is from eating fish such as salmon.  And other foods that contain Omega 3.

new to pace

Omega 3

by Lurker - 2023-11-23 00:07:35

Tnx new to pace. 
I have been taking Omega 3 for about 9 years. Since I had a cortisone shot in my knee which fixed it  Right up. 
I just went A Fib again on Nov 1st. Since then I had a Echo Gram last week. Today I had a stress test which encluded a echo gram before and after the tread mill. Next week I get to wear a Holter Monitor for 3 days. On Dec 6th I see the Cardiologist then on Dec 14th I have in person tweaking of the pace maker. Fortunately all apts are in the same building. 
whew. I'll be glad when that's all behind me.

 

Omega 3 and Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

by Gemita - 2023-11-23 02:49:32

Although Repero’s post is not about AF but about the health benefits of Omega 3, since the potential risk for AF has come up, I would like to add that I do not believe we can say with certainty that supplements of Omega 3 cause Atrial Fibrillation, at least not at standard doses.  There are many many causes/risk factors for AF (like ageing itself) and to try to pinpoint just one trigger, one cause would be quite a task.  If we knew for certain, I am sure we would have found more effective treatments for AF by now.  

Looking at several research papers the evidence (AF/Omega 3 connection) is far from clear, with some research papers actually suggesting Omega 3 has consistently been found to have anti arrhythmia effects.  (See link 3, scroll down to Conclusions).  Other papers suggest (links 1 and 2) that there may be a link with AF at mega doses (say at 4 grams of Omega 3, but not at standard daily doses of around 840 mg).  The links should be copied and pasted into our general browser to open.  

As new to pace has suggested, it might be better and safer to get our Omega 3, in fact to get all our vitamins and minerals, from high quality food sources and to have a balanced diet, rather than to take high doses of one particular supplement in the absence of a confirmed need (blood test evidence of a deficiency).

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777450

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10175873/#:~:text=The%20large%2Dscale%20RCTs%20of,doses%20%3E%201%20g%2Fday.

https://openheart.bmj.com/content/7/1/e000904

Thanks everyone

by Repero - 2023-11-23 04:33:38

Thank you all for another excellent and well-informed discussion. What a great forum this is!

Just like to offer an update.

I have read your comments and scanned the academic papers referenced. I have also scoured the Apixaban leaflet for any signs of a contra-indication, there is none. I plan to start on a microalgae-based Omega 3 supplement at 840mg daily. I will be checking my blood pressure for any change and, of course, for AF. I have never had a whiff of the latter and hoping it stays that way.

I have a very good diet (except I do not eat fish) and I probably don't need to do this. However, I was particularly struck by one of Gemita's references which said that the Omega3/Omega6 ratio has dramatically shifted in favour of Omega 6 over the last century: from 4-1 to 20-1.

I will look out for any indication that this has done me some good and report back.

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