Where does the myth that omega 3s are good for preventing heart disease come from?

The recommendation is familiar: the consumption of omega 3 fatty acid is good for the heart.

That's why millions of people in different parts of the world are turning to fish oil supplements.

Or seek to consume it naturally, in foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as spinach or fish such as sardines, tuna, salmon, trout, skipjack, swordfish, turbot, mackerel, anchovy and

According to the newspaper The New York Times

a recently published study indicates that the ingestion of these supplements is an indication that 10% of Americans take omega 3 tablets. does not decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke or coronary heart problem.

• Can dietary supplements replace fish as a source of omega 3 to prevent cardiovascular disease?

return this belief. It has been established in recent decades, but it was based on studies that were not conducted with sufficient rigor, "said Lee Hooper, who participated in the research.

Nutrition Professor at the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom, explained how they came to this conclusion on the site The Conversation which compiles recent academic studies.

More than 100,000

The conclusion is based on the analysis of 79 previously conducted clinical trials.

The journal, coordinated by the research center Cochrane scientist, was performed at the request of the World Health Organization to establish the effects What are the 50 most nutritious foods?

"We evaluated studies that lasted at least 12 months and those that the period follow-up ranged from one to eight years. We analyzed the cases of 112,059 patients, "said Hooper

. According to scientists, fish supplements have no benefit (or damage) to the heart.

So where does this belief come from? in Greenland ” width=”976″ height=”549″ data-highest-encountered-width=”624″/>

Triglyceride levels in Greenlanders are low despite the consumption of fats.

Cold Origins

It all started with a study published in June 1971 in the scientific journal The Lancet.

In the 1970s, Danish researchers analyzed the habits of a group of 130 Eskimos living on the west coast of Greenland.

They underwent several tests and found that their cholesterol and triglyceride levels were low, despite regular consumption of high-fat meat.

The Eskimo diet is very peculiar

Because of the extreme climate of the Arctic, they can not produce fruits, vegetables or grains. What they hunt, mainly in the sea: fish, seals and whales.

Danish scientists therefore concluded that it was Eskimo diet that explained the low incidence of heart attacks and the absence of diabetes mellitus.

It is as well as the recommendation that fish consumption was good to prevent coronary heart disease occurred

and from that moment, the popularity of fish oil pills began, which contains large amounts of omega. 3.

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