For years we have been encouraged to eat polyunsaturated
fats to reduce our risk of heart disease. Billions of fish oil capsules have
been purchased to provide omega-3 fatty acids thought to be crucial for heart
health. Bad news, folks, two (yes, two!) new studies tried to prove the
beneficial impact of polyunsaturated fats. They both came up empty. Boom: mind
blown!
The American Heart Association has a love affair with
polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. They recommend that the majority of
our fat intake come from these sources. This point of view was based on solid
science, but it seems that the science just isn't that compelling.
The first study, published in the Annals of Internal
Medicine, looked at 76 previous research projects that examined fatty acids and
their impact on heart health. This was not new research, but rather an
examination of 17 previous research studies, collecting and comparing all of
the statistical results. This review, called a meta-analysis, found no
connection between consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty
acids and reduced heart disease.
The second study was published in the Journal of the
American Medical Association – Internal Medicine. Like the first study, this
was a meta-analysis. They also found no correlation between omega-3 intake and
lessened risk of heart disease.
So what does this all mean? Should we dump the fish oil
and pick up that bag of chips? Probably not a good plan. Consumption of omega-3
supplements should be re-evaluated, however. There are other benefits, including
increased tear production for people following LASIK surgery. But if you’re
really counting on omega-3s to shield you from coronary problems, you might
want to develop another plan.
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