KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fish oil might not prevent heart disease, as previously believed, but one local doctor is still standing by the supplements.
Researchers at the University of Oxford released their new study results earlier this month about Fish Oil supplements.
The study revealed that Fish Oil supplements may not prevent heart disease. For years, millions of Americans have taken fish oil supplements believing that it will reduce their risk of heart disease. Despite the new study, Saint Luke's cardiologist Dr. James O'Keefe believes fish oil, or OMEGA 3, still has value.
"Omega 3 can be very helpful for people if they're not eating enough fish. If you're eating Salmon, sardines three or four or five times a week, you don't need an Omega 3 supplement," said O'Keefe.
He explained that the recent study by a cardiologist at the University of Oxford looked at results from other studies.
"But there are studies, the same studies with larger numbers including more patients and more studies that show there was a 7 to 10 percent reduction in reducing cardiovascular events including cardiac death," O'Keefe explained.
O'Keefe said Omega 3 is a healthy fat that helps the brain and eyes function. He also said fish oil supplements reduce inflammation in the body.
Fish oil is big business in the United States. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on fish oil supplements. Michelle Wyssmann, vitamin supplement specialist at Nature's Own Health Market in Westport said fish oil is a top seller. Wyssmann is also a health coach with Gnar Nutrition. She doesn't believe the Oxford study casting doubt on the benefits of fish oil will hurt sales of fish oil.
"Because there are still studies that, if you don't have enough fat in your diet that your triglycerides are going to be elevated as well," Wyssmann said.
