New Study Questions the Heart Health Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements: Increased Risk of Stroke and Heart Disease?

Boston, Massachusetts United States of America
Fish oil supplements may still provide benefits for individuals with known heart disease
Healthy adults who take fish oil supplements may face increased risk of stroke and heart disease
Individuals taking fish oil supplements faced a 13% higher risk of atrial fibrillation and a 5% increased risk of first stroke
New study questions heart health benefits of fish oil supplements
Study followed over 415,000 individuals in the UK for an average of twelve years
New Study Questions the Heart Health Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements: Increased Risk of Stroke and Heart Disease?

In a striking revelation, recent research suggests that fish oil supplements may not be the health-promoting aid they are often made out to be. According to a study published in BMJ Medicine, healthy adults who regularly consume fish oil supplements could face an increased risk of stroke and heart disease. This finding contradicts the common belief that fish oil supplements, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, provide heart-health benefits.

The study followed over 415,000 individuals aged between 40 and 69 in the United Kingdom for an average of twelve years. It found that those who regularly used fish oil supplements faced a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke. Additionally, these individuals faced a 5% increased risk of experiencing their first stroke.

Interestingly, the study also found that for individuals with known heart disease, fish oil supplements were associated with a reduced risk of progression from atrial fibrillation to major adverse cardiovascular events and from atrial fibrillation to death. However, detailed information on specific types of fish oil supplements and dosages was not included in the study.

The findings have sparked a cautionary approach towards the use of fish oil supplements for healthy individuals. Instead, experts recommend focusing on a heart-healthy diet that includes natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish. For those with known heart disease, the study suggests that fish oil supplements may still provide some benefits.

This research underscores the importance of carefully considering all available information and consulting with healthcare professionals before incorporating any dietary supplements into one's routine. The potential risks and benefits must be weighed for each individual based on their specific health history and needs.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Was the study large enough to accurately represent the entire population?
  • Were all types and dosages of fish oil supplements considered in the study?

Sources

78%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Fish oil supplements linked to greater first-time heart attack risk in study: ‘Not universally good or bad'

Fox News Media Melissa Rudy Friday, 24 May 2024 07:37
  • Unique Points
    • A new study suggests that taking fish oil supplements could raise the risk of heart attack and stroke for healthy people.
    • The study found that among healthy people, regular use of fish oil made them more susceptible to developing heart disease and stroke for the first time.
  • Accuracy
    • Fish oil was linked to a 13% higher risk of having atrial fibrillation as a first-time heart problem.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author uses emotional manipulation by stating that taking fish oil supplements could raise the risk of heart attack and stroke for healthy people. However, she also mentions that fish oil consumption was shown to slow the progression of cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of mortality for those with existing heart disease. This creates a sense of uncertainty and fear around fish oil supplements without providing clear evidence or context as to why they are dangerous for healthy individuals. The author also uses selective reporting by only mentioning the potential risks associated with fish oil supplements, while omitting the benefits.
    • Taking fish oil supplements could raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study suggests.
    • Regular use of fish oil was found to make them more susceptible to developing heart disease and stroke for the first time.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to uncertainty by quoting a cardiologist who points out that there is conflicting data about the relationship between fish oil and heart disease. This implies that the benefits or risks of fish oil are not clear-cut, but it does not necessarily mean that any fallacies have been committed.
    • ][The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center] cardiologist Dr. Jim Liu pointed out that there has been conflicting data about whether or not fish oil or omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.[/
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

83%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Fish Oil Supplements Linked to First-Time Heart Problems

WebMD Friday, 24 May 2024 07:38
  • Unique Points
    • A large new study has linked fish oil supplements to getting heart problems like an irregular heartbeat or having a stroke.
    • Nearly one-third of the people said they regularly took fish oil supplements.
    • Those who took fish oil were more likely to be women, older, and White.
    • Fish oil was linked to a 13% higher risk of having atrial fibrillation as a first-time heart problem.
    • Fish oil was also linked to a 5% higher risk of stroke as a first-time heart problem.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes editorializing statements and uses sensational language to grab the reader's attention. It states that 'One of the most widely used dietary supplements may pose heart health risks to otherwise healthy people.' This is an exaggeration as not all users of fish oil supplements will experience heart problems. The article also selectively reports data, focusing on the increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke without mentioning the reduced risk for those with heart disease. Additionally, the article does not disclose sources for some of the statements made.
    • One of the most widely used dietary supplements may pose heart health risks to otherwise healthy people.
    • Fish oil was linked to a 13% higher risk of having atrial fibrillation as a first-time heart problem, and also linked to a 5% higher risk of a stroke as a first-time heart problem.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by citing a study published in BMJ Medicine as evidence for the link between fish oil supplements and heart problems. However, the author does not explicitly state that the study found a causal relationship between fish oil supplements and heart problems, only that there is a correlation. Additionally, the author acknowledges that there are groups of people who took fish oil regularly who had a lower risk of heart problems. This could indicate that there may be confounding variables at play or that the relationship between fish oil supplements and heart health is more complex than a simple causal link.
    • ]The large new study has linked fish oil supplements to getting heart problems like an irregular heartbeat or having a stroke.[
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

81%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Fish oil may increase risk of stroke, heart conditions: Study

The Hill News Site: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate-seethe-republicans-call-for-israeli-elections/ Lauren Irwin Wednesday, 22 May 2024 17:50
  • Unique Points
    • A study published in the journal BMJ Medicine found that fish oil may increase the risk of stroke and heart conditions like atrial fibrillation for individuals without known heart conditions.
    • The study followed over 400,000 people in the United Kingdom aged 40 to 69 for 12 years and found that regular use of fish oil supplements was associated with a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation and a 5% heightened risk of having a stroke.
    • For individuals with known heart disease, fish oil supplements were associated with a 15% lower risk of atrial fibrillation.
  • Accuracy
    • Fish oil may increase the risk of bleeding for healthy individuals.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author makes a statement about the study finding that fish oil may increase the risk of stroke and heart conditions for those without existing heart conditions. However, she fails to mention that the study also found a reduction in risk for those with existing heart disease. This selective reporting presents an incomplete picture and could potentially mislead readers into avoiding fish oil supplements unnecessarily.
    • Fish oil may increase the risk of stroke and heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, a new study found.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Research finds fish oil supplements may not be beneficial for healthy adults

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Mallika Marshall, Friday, 24 May 2024 07:39
  • Unique Points
    • Study suggests healthy adults should avoid fish oil supplements due to potential increase in stroke and heart disease risk.
    • Fish oil supplements may increase the risk of bleeding for healthy individuals.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Sandee LaMotte Wednesday, 22 May 2024 09:30
  • Unique Points
    • A new study suggests regular use of fish oil supplements may increase the risk of first-time stroke and atrial fibrillation in people with good cardiovascular health.
    • The study analyzed data on over 415,000 people aged 40 to 69 from the UK Biobank and followed them for an average of 12 years.
    • Regular use of fish oil supplements was associated with a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation and a 5% increased risk of stroke in people without heart issues.
  • Accuracy
    • Regular use of fish oil supplements may increase the risk of first-time stroke and atrial fibrillation in people with good cardiovascular health.
    • Fish oil supplements might be a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and stroke among the general population, but could be beneficial for progression of cardiovascular disease from atrial fibrillation to major adverse cardiovascular events, and from atrial fibrillation to death.
  • Deception (35%)
    The article is somewhat deceptive in its reporting on the study. It sensationalizes the findings by implying that fish oil supplements are inherently dangerous for everyone, when in reality, the study found an increased risk only among people in good cardiovascular health. The author also implies that all over-the-counter fish oil supplements are impure and contaminated with heavy metals, which is not entirely true as it depends on the brand and quality of the supplement. Furthermore, the article does not disclose that the study was funded by Amarin, a company that manufactures a prescription fish oil product.
    • WATCH: How safe are supplements? 02:58 - Source: CNN
    • The author does not disclose that the study was funded by Amarin, a company that manufactures a prescription fish oil product.
    • As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
    • For people without heart issues, regular use of fish oil supplements was associated with a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation and a 5% heightened risk of having a stroke, according to the study.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies. It uses anecdotal evidence and appeals to authority. The author cites the new study but also includes opinions from Dr. Andrew Freeman and Dr. Richard Isaacson without clearly distinguishing between the findings of the study and the personal views or experiences of these experts.
    • As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication