Can fish oil stave off heart disease?
Ask the doctor
A large (nearly 13,000 people) randomized trial, based here at Harvard Medical School, tested the cardiovascular benefits of one particular formulation of fish oil supplements (which contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids). "Cardiovascular benefits" included lower rates of any diseases that result from atherosclerosis, primarily of the arteries of the heart or brain. After following people for an average of more than five years, there was no clear benefit in the total of all cardiovascular problems. The people receiving fish oil did have lower rates of some types of heart problems, but these results were not as statistically strong as those for the total of all cardiovascular problems. Because this was the largest study of its kind, many doctors who once recommended fish oil supplements to protect against heart disease are no longer doing so.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
