An analysis of 40 studies reveals the dosage of omega-3 that best protects the heart against disease.
Higher dosage of omega-3 can protect the heart and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.
An extensive review of 40 studies on the effective dosage of omega-3 finds that a higher intake of EPA and DHA can prevent heart disease.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are types of omega-3 fats mostly found in oily fish.
The heart health benefits seem to become greater with higher dosage, therefore the researchers suggest a supplementation of 1,000 to 2,000 mg per day.
The increased supplementation of EPA and DHA have been shown to decrease the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction), and coronary heart disease (CHD) events.
The review found that omega-3 fatty acids lowered the odds of CHD events by 10 percent, CHD death by 9 percent, heart attack by 13 percent, and dying from a heart attack by 35 percent.
Dr Carl Lavie, study co-author, said:
“The study supports the notion that EPA and DHA intake contributes to cardioprotection, and that whatever patients are getting through the diet, they likely need more.”
Eating everyday fatty fish like salmon, trout, sardines, and anchovies would be the best way to obtain EPA and DHA.
Unfortunately, most populations consume even less than the dietary recommendations, thus supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids can be helpful to make up for the deficiency.
Dr Lavie said:
“People should consider the benefits of omega-3 supplements, at doses of 1000 to 2000 mg per day—far higher than what is typical, even among people who regularly eat fish.
Given the safety and diminished potential for interaction with other medications, the positive results of this study strongly suggest omega-3 supplements are a relatively low-cost, high impact way to improve heart health with few associated risks and should be considered as part of a standard preventive treatment for most patients with cardiovascular diseases and those recovering from myocardial infarction.”
The research team also found that the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and heart attack was reduced even more when an addition of 1,000 mg of EPA with DHA was consumed every day.
The cardiovascular disease and heart attack risks were lower by 6 and 9 percent receptively.
They looked at different amounts of omega-3 up to 5,500 mg per day.
Their findings supports the previous analysis of 13 clinical studies published in 2019.
Dr Bernasconi, the study’s first author, said:
“When separate analyses arrive at similar results, that’s not only validating; it also underscores the science base needed to inform future intake recommendations.
Because this paper included more studies and all dosages, the estimates for a dose-response are more precise and the conclusions stronger.”
The study was published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Bernasconi et al., 2020).
