The U.S. dietary supplement market is worth more than $50 million. His one among them, fish oil supplements, has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to the many health benefits advertised on the label. However, medical research omega 3 fatty acids They offer many cardiovascular benefits. A study published in the journal Aug. 23 found that fish oil vendors continue to make big claims about the supplement’s benefits, despite the lack of solid evidence. journal JAMA Cardiology.
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Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Found in fatty fish such as flaxseed, walnuts, and salmon.. Increased levels of EPA and DHA Associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseasehowever, these observations are based on natural dietary intake rather than supplementation by patients.a 2021 study by the National Institutes of Health We also showed that common over-the-counter fish oil supplements did not actually improve cardiovascular disease outcomes. moreover, randomized trial Study of more than 15,000 diabetics found no significant difference in risk of serious cardiovascular events between participants who took omega-3 supplements and those who did not did.
In this new paper, a team at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas analyzed health claims on the labels of 2,819 fish oil supplements obtained from the National Institutes of Health. Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Over 80% of supplements studied Claims of structure and function. These kinds of claims vaguely describe the role omega-3 fatty acids play in the body, such as “supporting the heart, mind and mood” or “promoting heart health”.
Also reviewed in this study eligible health claims Of the labels, 394 were for coronary heart disease, 3 for blood pressure, and 2 for both. These claims, which are made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the possibility that supplements may help treat or prevent disease, are made only after review of the evidence.
Currently, there are only two cardiovascular health claims approved for fish oil, one related to coronary heart disease and one related to blood pressure. In 2019, FDA wrote“Supportive but inconclusive research indicates that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acid intake may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”
However, the agency also said that structure-function claims do not imply that supplements have the power to prevent, treat or cure illnesses and diseases. They merely “describe the role of nutrients and dietary components intended to influence human structure and function.”
in response to popular scienceAsked to comment on the labeling of fish oil supplements, an FDA spokesperson said, “In general, FDA does not comment on specific studies, but we do understand certain issues and evaluate them as part of the body of evidence that supports the studies.” I do,” he wrote. Our mission is to protect public health. The FDA is reviewing the findings of the paper. ”
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“It’s true that omega-3 fatty acids are present in the brain and are important for all kinds of brain function,” says study co-author Anne-Marie Navarre, professor of cardiology. Said Washington Post. “What high-quality studies have not consistently shown is that higher intakes of fish oil in the form of fish oil supplements are associated with improved performance and disease prevention,” Navarre also conducted the study. In the meantime, he added, he was “alarmed” to learn that fish oil supplement labels often contained claims implying health benefits for a wide range of organ systems (brain, heart, eyes).
the team did recognize some limitations in their analysis. This paper is not exhaustive, as companies submit label information to the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on a voluntary basis. In addition, the authors only evaluated the 16 largest fish oil brands of supplements and their label health claims, not promotional materials.
“Nutrition research is notoriously difficult to get right,” says Megan Lyons, a board-certified clinical dietitian and board-certified holistic dietitian. Said health line. “Humans are affected by many factors, including different health conditions, different dietary intakes, different exercise patterns, and unique sleep and stress patterns, all of which contribute to our overall health. doing.”
