Omega-3 supplements and prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer (study results).

[KuriousKatKommittee]

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 25,871 participants from the general population. The intent was to test the benefits and risks of omega-3 fatty acids at a dose of 1 gram daily – comprising fish oil capsules containing 460 mg EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 380 mg DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer among men 50 years of age or older and women 55 years of age or older in the United States.

The omega-3 fatty acid dose was based on the recommendations by the American Heart Association as shown to be beneficial in a secondary prevent population.

Results
A total of 25,871 participants (n=25,871) underwent randomization. During a median follow up of 5.3 years:

• Major cardiovascular event occurred in 386 participants in the omega-3 fatty acid group and 419 participants in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0.92; confidence limits 0.80-1.06)
• Total myocardial infarction occurred in 145 participants in omega-3 group and 200 participants in placebo group (HR 0.72; CL 0.59-0.90)
• Total stroke occurred in 148 participants in omega-3 group and 142 participants in placebo group (HR 1.04; CL 0.83-1.31)
• Death from cardiovascular disease occurred in 142 participants in omega-3 group and 148 participants in placebo group (HR 0.96; CL 0.96-1.21)
• Invasive cancer was diagnosed in 820 participants in omega-3 group and in 797 participants in placebo group (HR 1.03; CL 0.93-1.13)
• Breast cancer was diagnosed in 117 participants in omega-3 group and 129 participants in placebo group (HR 0.90; CL 0.70-1.16)
• Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 219 participants in omega-3 group and 192 participants in placebo group (HR 1.15; CL 0.9-1.39)
• Colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 54 participants in omega-3 group and 44 participants in placebo group (HR 1.23; CL 0.83-1.83)
• Death from cancer occurred in 168 participants in omega-3 group and 173 participants in placebo group (HR 0.97; CL 0.79-1.20)
• Death from any cause occurred in 493 participants in omega-3 group and 485 participants in placebo group (HR 1.02; CL 0.90-1.15)

Effect by ethnicity
[I]n more detailed analysis, there was a greater cardiovascular benefit of lower myocardial infarction with omega-3 fatty acid supplements in black participants than in non-Hispanic whites.

Discussion
To quote the authors: “In summary, the VITAL trial has filled a knowledge gap that showed that the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements by the general population did not result in preventing cardiovascular disease or cancer of any type.”

Richard L. Wynn, BS Pharm, PhD, is professor of pharmacology at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, University of Maryland Baltimore.

Full article: https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/blo...d-vital-trial/

[mohanskin]

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of deaths and disability worldwide.Over the past few decades, observational epidemiological studies have reported that intake of fruit and vegetables rich in various vitamins and antioxidants reduce the risk.It has been estimated that if an individual increases fruit and vegetable intake up to 600 gm daily, the worldwide burden of disease could be reduced by 31% for ischaemic heart disease and 19 % for ischaemic stroke. Unlike the evidence for fruit and vegetables, however, many randomised controlled trials have reported inconsistent findings regarding the efficacy of vitamin and antioxidant supplementation on cardiovascular diseases.