Is omega-3 really the heart saver we’ve been told it is? A new study indicates perhaps not, but cardiologist and Newsmax Health contributor Dr. Chauncey Crandall dismisses the research findings.
“This study is hogwash,” Crandall told Newsmax.TV. “It’s misleading and not accurate.”
The study, conducted by Danish researchers, showed that patients taking low doses of omega-3 in margarine didn’t experience significantly reduced rates of serious heart disease.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat that are believed to play a role in metabolism and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as well as the ability to promote higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
Omega-3s indeed have benefits, Crandall says. The new study itself showed benefits in diabetics, who have the most severe form of heart disease, and in women who have smaller blood vessels.
“The important point is that these patients [who didn’t benefit] were already being treated for heart disease successfully with other agents,” Crandall said. “By throwing in omega-3s, they didn’t see the benefits we can often see when we don’t have other agents on board.”
Bottom line, he said, “We need to forget this study and stick to standard, proven treatments, including omega-3.”
It plays a powerful role in reducing triglyceride levels, which represent a very important risk factor for heart disease, he says. And omega-3s have a very strong anti-arrhythmia effect.
“Omega-3 does have benefits without other agents on board.”
The body cannot produce omega-3 on its own, so it must be obtained through food or supplements. The best way to get it is through fresh, cold-water fish, including salmon, sardines and trout, Crandall says. If that’s not available, you can buy it through over-the-counter supplements.
In preventing heart disease, the most important factor is diet, he says. “Everyone needs to eat correctly. Eat more vegetarian, healthy meals.”
Second, lose excess weight, especially belly fat, which carries a high risk for heart disease. Your ideal weight, generally speaking, is what you weighed when you graduated high school, he says.
Crandall recommends one hour of exercise a day and reducing stress, including living below your means.
Finally, get a physical exam. “Go to your doctor once a year and see what your risk factors are so you can improve these at an earlier age," he says.
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