Recently the JAMA The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that neither eating extra helpings of fish nor taking fish oil supplements reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack or death. Is the consensus changing? Should you take fish oil pills or not?
Most researchers agree that oily fish such as salmon and mackerel are far better way to get your fill of good fats. Many of the early, promising studies on omega-3s involved fish rather than fish oil pills (in one, men who were advised to eat fish were 29 percent less likely to die in the two years following a heart attack than men who were not), and a 2010 study by Columbia University scientists reported that following a Mediterranean diet—which, among other things, is rich in fatty fish—reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 34 percent.
“Not only may people be benefiting from the omega-3 fatty acids in fish, but the fish may be displacing such foods as hamburgers and quiche from the diet, both high in saturated fat,” explains Alice Lichtenstein, director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory at Tufts University.
If you don’t eat fish, then the question of what to do becomes more difficult. Researchers argue that, ultimately, we need more randomized, controlled clinical trials on omega-3 supplements—particularly in healthy people who don’t take medications—but these are becoming rare, in part because the supplements will never be big moneymakers. “Generic fish oil is available, so drug companies don’t have any strong motivation to fund trials,” Mozaffarian says.
But despite the murky science, if you don’t get omega-3s from other sources—or if you have heart disease risk factors but aren’t taking medications—omega-3 pills may still be a good idea.
“There’s no harm in taking a fish oil supplement, and there could be benefits,” Mozaffarian says. “The bottom line is that getting some [omega-3] is better than getting none.”
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rolls out the red tomato carpet at NY Fashion Week with a behind the scenes look at hat designer, Evetta Petty‘s Spring 2013 Hat Collection.
Register now for ’Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’ - our largest free diabetes outreach event of the year promoting a diva attitude for living well with diabetes scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA.
‘Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’, mixes free beauty and fashion services, a Plus Size fashion show and music with interactive diabetes education in a fun, comfortable setting to broaden the appeal of diabetes educational outreach for women. Our goal is to make every woman feel more beautiful inside and out through the help of a team of certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and beauty and fashion experts.
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 11 AM – 4 PM
Jefferson Alumni Hall , First Floor Eakins Lounge 10th and Locust Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
FREE ADMISSION
Register: 1-800-JEFF-NOW
BORED BY DIABETES EDUCATION? Check out our Free Diabetes Podcast inspired by Taylor Swift featuring a frank, fashion forward discussion on a the shocking diet trend called ‘diabulimia’ that has young women living with type 1 diabetes skipping or shortchanging their insulin to lose weight and risk a coma and an early death. Plus, we’re learning healthy ways to eat BBQ, playing games and hearing more great ‘diagnosis to DIVA’ stories http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/09/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-mystery-diva
Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.
For sponsorship opportunities and upcoming outreach event details visit: www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s Facebook’s Group and Fan pages.
Tags: diabetes, diabetic, diets, fish oils, good nutrition, health news, heart attack, new medicine, nutrition, omega 3, salmon, stroke
