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By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) – Experts in cardiology are advising fish oil pills to prescribe to reduce excessive levels of blood lipids called triglycerides.
The pills contain omega-3 fatty acids that are healthy for the heart. According to a new scientific opinion from the American Heart Association, when they are prescribed by a doctor, these drugs can lower high triglyceride levels by 20% to 30%.
"From our review of data from 17 randomized controlled clinical trials on high triglyceride levels, we concluded that a treatment with 4 grams a day of one of the prescription drugs available [omega-3 medications] is effective and can be used safely with statins that lower cholesterol, "Ann Skulas-Ray said in an AHA press release.He is one of the authors of the note published in the newspaper circulation.
Triglycerides are fats that circulate in the blood. High levels of triglycerides (above 200 mg / dL) can cause narrowing of the arteries, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
About 25% of American adults have triglyceride levels above 150 mg / dL, which is very high. High triglyceride levels are rising in the United States due to rising rates of obesity and diabetes, two factors that increase triglyceride levels.
Very high levels of triglycerides (above 500 mg / dL) can also cause inflammation of the pancreas.
While the AHA stands in favor of prescription fish oil supplements, it does not do the same for over-the-counter supplements.
"Dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids are not regulated by the FDA," said Skulas-Ray, an assistant professor of nutrition science at the University of Arizona at Tucson. "They should not be used in place of prescription drugs for the long-term management of high triglyceride levels."
In addition, a 2017 scientific opinion from the AHA said that there was a lack of scientific research to support the clinical use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements without a prescription for prevent heart disease in the general population.
But according to the new directive, prescription versions could be helpful, at least as far as triglyceride levels are concerned. There are currently two prescription medications containing omega-3 fatty acids. The one combines two types of fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), while the other only has l /? EPA.
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There have been no direct comparisons between the two drugs, so the opinion does not recommend one over the other.
Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of omega-3 fatty acid medications is limited to the treatment of very high triglyceride levels (greater than 500 mg / dL).
Two heart health experts agreed that prescription fish oil tablets may play a role in cardiovascular care.
"This is an exciting time with more trials under way in this class of drugs, which has already shown that it has very few side effects, very little interaction with other drugs and evidence of huge cardiovascular benefits, "said Dr. Eugenia Gianos. She is Director of Women's Heart Health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
Dr. Benjamin Hirsh leads preventive cardiology at Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New Brunswick. He reads the new opinion and states that "triglycerides are becoming the new" bad cholesterol ".
"The importance of triglyceride management can not be underestimated," Hirsh said. Until now, there was little expert advice to help doctors treat excessive levels of these fats in the blood.
Fortunately, unlike the case of LDL "bad" cholesterol, triglycerides are much more sensitive to lifestyle changes, with reductions in carbohydrates, weight, alcohol and increases in physical activity associated with reductions. [of triglyceride levels] by almost 50%, "said Hirsh.
At the same time, he said, "further trials are expected to culminate in 2020, which will specifically guide the use of different oil-based drugs." of fish to reduce triglycerides and cardiovascular risk. "
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