Whats the evidence for omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of cardiovascular disease?
Numerous studies detailed in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, support the heart protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids, commonly known as fish oil. In addition, we know that cultures following the Mediterranean Diet, which is rich in fish consumption, have a low incidence of cardiovascular disease. Two government reports released in 2006 concluded that fish may be the single most important food to eat for health, and that the benefits for the vast majority of consumers far outweigh the risk of mercury found in certain species. (Separate recommendations have been made for fish consumption by pregnant women and children.) While most of the early research on fish oil was conducted on men, Circulation noted that women in the Nurses’ Health Study who ate fish ranging from one to three times per month to more than five times per week lowered their risk of death from coronary heart disease by 21 percent to 34 percent. In the government studies, the heart-protective be
