Proven benefits:
Lower Triglycerides
Helpful in adolescent anxiety and depression
Decrease systolic BP 1.5 pts
Reduce resting HR 1.6 bpm
Decrease risk of cardiovascular death by 36% with long term use
The general consensus from UpToDate is this:
Given the evidence for potentially-beneficial effects on coronary heart disease (CHD) death and sudden cardiac death, and no evidence to suggest harm:
We recommend that most adults without known CHD who are seeking information on a healthy diet be counseled to consume at least one to two servings per week of oily fish. We suggest that most adults who do not consume this much fish take a daily fish oil supplement (about 1 g/day). (See
'CHD death and sudden cardiac death, combined cardiovascular events' above.)
We recommend that patients with known CHD, patients who are at high risk for CHD, or patients who have established heart failure be counseled to consume at least one to two servings per week of oily fish. In such patients who are unable or unwilling to consume this much fish, we suggest prescribing a daily fish oil supplement (about 1 g/day). (See
'CHD death and sudden cardiac death, combined cardiovascular events'above and
'Heart failure' above.)
These recommendations are in general agreement with scientific advisories from the American Heart Association regarding the health effects of n-3 fatty acids from dietary sources and supplements [
169,170].
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