DEAR Dr. Fritz,
Good day. There are a lot of fish supplements in the market that has been touting benefits for the heart. I just wanted to know if these fish supplements in the market are really good for the heart.
Thanks for your response.
Fishy Takes
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Dear Fishy Takes,
It depends on what fish supplement you are going for.
Let me show you the REDUCE-IT trial, which studied high-dose pure EPA (a type of omega-3), called icosapent ethyl, in people with either heart disease or at high risk who were taking statins and had elevated triglycerides. That study showed that those who were taking the omega-3 supplement had a 25-percent reduction in heart disease and stroke and a 20-percent reduction in death from heart disease.
But, it is advocated that higher dose should be used (four grams per day), or the omega-3 was pure EPA (and not the usual mix of EPA and DHA in most omega-3 supplements) to get the prime benefits of lowering high triglycerides.
If you are just taking one gram per day of omega-3, you might not get the benefit that you are expecting.
A better way to get that omega-3 fatty acids is to eat fatty fish such as sardines, herring, albacore tuna, and salmon, among others. The American Heart Association endorses fish (particularly fatty fish) at least twice a week.
But, if you are taking blood thinners like aspirin and clopidogrel, be wary because there is a small increase in bleeding and there was also an increase in Afibrillation in the REDUCE-IT trial. So, please consult first with your physician if omega-3 or fish oil supplements are for you.
Good luck!
Dr. Fritz
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(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She is the co-host of digital page of Superbalita. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15-year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.”. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)