Patricia Fredette, MD

The steadily growing acceptance of the biological importance and general health benefits of omega-3 is rapidly increasing worldwide due in large part to the abundance of medical studies and reports that have been published.  With the more than 20,000 articles published as of 2003, it can be a challenge to keep up with the expanding list of benefits from this modern day aspirin.  Let me summarize some of the recent studies and uses that I have experienced in my own practice.

In March of this year, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviewed the benefits and protective effect of omega 3 fatty acids on the cardiovascular system, They reported from 3 large controlled trials of 32,000 participants that there was a 19-45% reduction in Cardiovascular events in patients supplemented with omega-3. The American Heart Association has endorsed the use of omega-3 fatty acids for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. This is the first time the AHA has recommended a nutritional supplement for heart disease prevention. It is also well documented that omega-3 fatty acids lower triglyceride levels and it was recently shown in the JELIS (Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study) that when combined with a low dose statin there was a significantly reduced incidence of major coronary events thought to be due to a reduction in unstable angina.  In the GISSI (Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Infanto Miocardio) trial the group supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids experienced a nearly 15% reduced risk of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke.  The benefit was found within 3 months of randomization possibly supporting the thought that omega-3s may have an antiarrythmic and antithrombotic effect.

In the DAISY study (Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young) published in JAMA 9/07 researchers found that a higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in children at high risk for type 1 diabetes may be associated with a lower risk of islet cell autoimmunity.   Further research is needed but there is the potential that dietary supplementation with omega-3 may be able to safely prevent the development of type 1 diabetes.

Last week, in the Archives of Ophthalmology a recent study showed that consumption of omega 3 fatty acids was associated with a reduced risk for age related macular degeneration, which is one of the leading causes of vision loss in the elderly.
While the recommended daily intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids should be in the range of .6-1 gram, a “normal” diet in the western world only satisfies about 10-15% of this requirement.  Increasing ones consumption of fatty fish or by using a suitable dietary supplement that is as pure as possible and devoid of the environmental toxins unfortunately found in our oceans can cover the remaining requirements.

I have found omega-3 fish oil very useful in my practice for patients with cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, attention deficit disorder, dementia, migraines and even depression.  Compared with prescriptions and invasive procedures, omega-3 along with modest dietary changes has been an inexpensive, low risk way for my patients to find the level of health they desire. They are happy to have found a nutritional supplement with so many medically supported health benefits.

Patricia Fredette, MD
Family Medicine
Edgewater, Florida


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August 2008