Omega-3 may not help heart patients


HEIDELBERG, Germany, Apr 1, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- German researchers have
found omega-3 fatty acid supplements had no additional protective effect on
heart attack patients receiving treatment.

Dr. Jochen Senges of Heart Center Ludwigshafen and the University of Heidelberg
in Germany said the data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary.

The findings contrast with those of previous studies that did find a benefit,
perhaps because post heart attack care is more advanced now than when these
earlier studies were conducted, MedPage Today reported.

"It would be incorrect to say that omega-3 fatty acids are not effective, but we
could not find any additional benefits after optimizing medical therapy," Senges
said in a statement.

The OMEGA trial was conducted at 104 centers in Germany and included 3,851
patients -- mean age 64; 74.4 percent male -- who had suffered an heart attack.

The study found that one year of daily supplementation did not reduce rates of
sudden cardiac death, repeat heart attack, stroke, or any cardiovascular
outcomes compared with to the placebo.

The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting in
Orlando, Fla.



URL: www.upi.com


Copyright 2009 by United Press International

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