Fish Oil Reduced Heart Disease in Controlled Trial

A low dose of fish oil (comparable to eating fish twice weekly) modestly improved the course of coronary atherosclerosis, and appeared to be associated with fewer coronary events, in a major European study. Volunteers were given either a specific fish oil concentrate, or a placebo "with a fatty acid composition resembling that of the average European diet"; the dose was 6 grams per day for three months, followed by 3 grams a day for the rest of the two-year study. 223 patients diagnosed with coronary artery atherosclerosis participated in this study.

Hundreds of epidemiological, laboratory, and animal studies had suggested a role for dietary omega-3 fatty acids in reducing atherosclerosis, but there have been few controlled studies, and their results have sometimes been inconsistent.

Much is unknown about the mechanism of action of this potential treatment. For example, fish oil has paradoxically been found to increase LDL cholesterol (the "bad cholesterol), especially in patients with elevated triglycerides.


Comment

This was not an AIDS study; as far as we know all the volunteers were HIV-negative. We noted the article because fish oil might (or might not) be appropriate in treating some patients with lipid abnormalities caused by antiretrovirals or by HIV disease. As information develops, expert panels can prepare nutritional guidelines.

References

1. von Schacky C, Angerer P, Kothny W, Theisen K, and Mudra H. The effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. April 6, 1999; volume 130, pages 554-562.