Health effects of fish oil and fish oil supplements: consumption advice sustained

Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Recently, the results ofa systematic review on the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids were published. The risk of cardiovascular death in subjects randomised to taking omega-3 fats was not significantly decreased: relative risk = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.73-1.03). In a 2004 Cochrane review, the same authors concluded that there was a significant beneficial effect on total mortality, combined cardiovascular endpoints and cancer. Inclusion of the recent 'Diet and reinfarction trial' (DART-2-trial) had a decisive negative effect on the results of the recent meta-analysis. Excluding this study resulted in a relative risk of cardiovascular death of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75-0.91). Since the DART-2 study had methodological shortcomings, it still appears that recommending sufficient intake of omega-3 fatty acids is justifiable, preferably by eating fish but ifnecessary by using fish oil supplements, especially for patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease.