In the News...Fish Oil Supplements Don't Prevent CVD (but they may prevent statins)

Disclaimer: I'm not a health professional and this is not medical advice. Merely an informed opinion based on my own experiences and research

Something Fishy Here

In a rather surprising twist, it was recently announced that "research" shows that supplementing Omega 3 fatty acids via fish oil doesn't prevent cardiovascular disease.  (Sobering news for those of us who have a 600 count jar of oil-filled, horse-size capsules eating up valuable cabinet space.)

There's a lot about this announcement that I find..fishy. 

Fish or Foe?

One of the take-aways from the research was that you're better off getting your Omega3 from actual fish. Given that much of the Omega3-rich fish we eat in this country are farm raised, I find that advice a bit paradoxical. After all, we know that toxins are stored in fish fat, and we know all about how bad farm-raised fish is in terms of its levels of toxins. So eat that fish at your own risk or take a certified Omega3 supplement? I say eat as much "clean" fish as you can...but keep taking that fish oil.

What, me skeptical?

Why am I so dubious about fish oil's alleged inefficacy? Well, if you've ever had surgery, you've probably been told to stop taking fish oil supplements (as well as ibuprophen or other NSAIDS) at least a week in advance of your procedure. Why? Because like Ibuprophen, it's a really effective blood thinner (it decreases platelet activity).  Think of it like taking low dose aspirin to prevent blood clots and further reduce cardiac risk. But thin blood isn't good in the OR

About That Lipid Profile

Fish oil has also been shown to raise HDL, an important part of a healthy lipid profile. Assuming you believe in the "lipid hypothesis" you know that your goal is supposed to be lower LDL (the "bad" stuff) and higher HDL (the "good" stuff) and nice, low triglycerides (the really bad stuff, in my opinion).  Your doc will look at these numbers, especially the first two, and decide if you "need" a statin. You probably don't, but that's not how that office visit is gonna go down, especially if you're diabetic. 

Fish oil also lowers triglycerides...which are really more dangerous than LDL, in my somewhat educated opinion.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/triglycerides/art-20048186

So even if that fish oil isn't going to save you from a horrible death by CVD, getting those lipid ratios into "optimal" range will probably help save you from satan...I mean, a statin. 

Note: Before agreeing to a statin, please ask your physician to run either the NMR or, preferably, the CardioIQ lipid test. Here's some info:  
https://www.questdiagnostics.com/home/physicians/testing-services/condition/cardiovascular/cardio-iq-report.html

Your Glowing Complexion

Omega3 fatty acids are also important for healthy skin. They are a powerful anti-inflammatory (like ibuprophen, right?) and also a crucial part of your skin’s lipid content which helps bolster its barrier function, which, when working properly, acts like a seal that keeps moisture in and irritants out. In fact, researchers discovered that women who consumed half a teaspoon of omega-3-rich flaxseed oil (another Omega 3 source) a day increased skin hydration by 39 percent after 12 weeks. So no scaly skin for you. (See what I did there?)

My Takeaway

In my opinion, this all adds up to anecdotal support for continuing to take that fish oil. And if you can't handle those enormous pills, there are several liquid forms on the market that you might find easier to take. Consider yourself schooled.  (Wait, did you just groan out loud??)