BMJ  2006;332:915 (15 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7546.915

Letter

Risks and benefits of omega 3 fats

Health benefits of omega 3 fats are in doubt

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—In their systematic review of observational studies and randomised controlled trials Hooper et al conclude that omega 3 fats do not have a clear effect on overall mortality, combined cardiovascular events, or cancer.1


Figure Removed (Available Only in the Full Text)
 

We do not agree with their approach of pooling {alpha} linolenic acid (which is of vegetable origin) with omega 3 fatty acids from fish. Furthermore, fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, as well as different types of (patient) populations, were pooled in this meta-analysis. On the basis of previous reviews in this field, each of these combinations could blur a clear view on the health effects of omega 3 fats. Several metaanalyses have shown a favourable effect of fish intake and intake of fish fatty acids on stroke and fatal coronary heart disease.2-4 For {alpha} linolenic acid, the epidemiological evidence is less convincing, and randomised controlled trials are lacking.

Data from many epidemiological studies and the GISSI-Prevenzione trial . . . [Full text of this article]

Johanna M Geleijnse, assistant professor

Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, 6700 HD Wageningen, Netherlands marianne.geleijnse@wur.nl

Ingeborg A Brouwer, associate professor, Edith J M Feskens, associate professor

Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, 6700 HD Wageningen, Netherlands


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Relevant Article

Risks and benefits of omega 3 fats for mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review
Lee Hooper, Rachel L Thompson, Roger A Harrison, Carolyn D Summerbell, Andy R Ness, Helen J Moore, Helen V Worthington, Paul N Durrington, Julian P T Higgins, Nigel E Capps, Rudolph A Riemersma, Shah B J Ebrahim, and George Davey Smith
BMJ 2006 332: 752-760. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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