A much publicised Greek statistical study claiming no heart attack, stroke and mortality prevention by taking fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids (published also in this newspaper) appeared in the September 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. This study also claimed to refute the long held view that omega-3 fatty acids prevent abnormal heart rhythms, which are an important cause of cardiac sudden death and stroke.
A study conducted on 2,500 older, apparently healthy adults, by the Harvard School of Public Health and published in the April 2013 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, correlates the highest levels of blood omega-3 fatty acids with the lowest mortality.
In fact, all-cause mortality among individuals with the highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids was 27 per cent less than in those with the lowest blood levels.
In particular, the rate of abnormal heart rhythm death was 50 per cent less in those with the highest levels of blood omega-3 fatty acids.
This more recent American study confirms the long held view that aquality fish oil (distilled to remove any heavy metal impurities) is the number one food supplement (minimum of 2000mg daily) for health and longevity (including diabetics).