Chapters
00:00 - Intro
1:00 - The Greenlanders!
1:44 - The NEJM and 30 g Fish
2:08 - The Fish Oil Gold Rush
2:43 - Italian Discovery
3:10 - The Vital Study 
4:15 - The REDUCE-IT Trial
5:09 - Statins and the Placebo Issue
6:31 - Journal of Circulation
7:11 - A Newer Study is Warranted
7:39 - Is it Still Worth it?

What is in Fish Oil? What is Omega 3 Found in?

Proponents of fish oil claim they are great for your heart and the brain. That’s because they contain omega-3 fatty acids, (DHA) and (EPA). Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in these omega-3s, which are essential nutrients.

History of Fish Oil Use. Does Fish Oil Help?

So lets start from the beginning, in 1970,  two Danish scientists traveled to the northwest coast of Greenland to study an indigenous population, described to be the most carnivorous people on earth. They had lower blood lipids than their Danish counterparts.
And It took them 10 years of more research, to conclude that the difference came down to what they ate. 

The NEJM then published a study following 853 middle aged Dutch men over 20 years.

“Mortality from coronary heart disease was more than 50 percent lower among those who consumed at least 30 g of fish per day than among those who did not eat fish.” 

► https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...

In the 1990s the Fish Oil Gold Rush Began. Does Fish Oil Work?

51 studies ended up getting published exploring the link between fish oil and heart disease. But the problem of the research was mainly “observational.”

Could the fact that the people who ate fish had less room in their diet for big macs, fried chicken, and candy. 

Its an interesting point, because now you need a randomized controlled trial, which is the “gold standard” of nutritional research. 

Fish Oil Studies. Are Fish Oil Supplements Effective?

We ended up getting one in 1993, when 11,324 heart attack survivors from across Italy were given fish oil, vitamin E, or nothing. The vitamin E had no effect. But the fish oil, by comparison, caused a 10 percent reduction in heart disease. Which was very exciting to hear. 

► https://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...

The Vital Study. Does Fish Oil Help Reduce Cholesterol? 

So by 2012, nearly 20 million American adults were using a fish oil supplement of some kind. The results indicated that “supplementation with [omega-3] fatty acids did not result in a lower incidence of major cardiovascular events.” 

►https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...

The REDUCE-IT Trial

Well, Deepak Bhatt a Harvard cardiologist, announced the results of the REDUCE-IT Randomized controlled trial. And the results were very exciting, so much so the cardiologists gave a standing ovation, because it followed 8,179 people over four years, and found fish oil reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 25 percent in subjects who were already being treated with statins. 

►https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...

All of a sudden, fish oil came back to life. But the reduce-it trial was funded by the pharmaceutical company Amarin, and they were using a dose of 4 grams of EPA alone, called Vascepa.

Fish Oil vs Mineral Oil. Mineral Oil was the Placebo. 

If the placebo is doing bad things, it may make the treatment look good. . Now they did this to mimic the color and consistency but did not take into account that mineral oil raised atherosclerotic biomarker levels. 

What is the Best Fish Oil?

Currently, the Over-the-counter fish oil supplements you might be taking contain a low dose (about 1 gram) of two different omega-3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA.  

And so far all We know is that people who consume high levels of omega-3 fatty acids by eating fish have a lower risk of cardiovascular events, but that is not borne out of studies on fish oil. That's just been the existing data, separate from this discussion. 

DISCLAIMER: 
This video is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Dr. Arsalan Aspires has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.