title: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for the prevention of cardiovascular disease: do formulation, dosage & comparator matter?
abstract: Multiple trials over the past two decades testing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have shown substantial benefits for reducing major coronary heart disease (CHD) events, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and stroke. However, recent trials testing omega-3s have generally failed to confirm these benefits. While increased fish and fish oil intake among the general population, increased use of optimal medical therapy (including statins, aspirin, and modern antihypertensive medications) probably make it more challenging for fish oil supplementation to show additional benefits, there might be further explanations in the formulation, dosage, and comparator used in these recent omega-3 trials.
authors.affiliation: Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, USA. jjdinicol@gmail.com
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: DiNicolantonio
authors.affiliation: Heart Hospital, University College London Hospitals UCLH, London-UK.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.affiliation: Mid America Heart institute at Saint Luke's Hospital and University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, USA.
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010919:Placebos; D010938:Plant Oils; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010919:Placebos; D010938:Plant Oils