Well this is disappointing news. Looks like all the promotion about fish oil lending protection against heart disease might have been more gimmick than good science. The Sept. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association published a review of over 20 studies involving over 70,000 patients–some of which were heart patients–that revealed that fish oil gave no real protection for the heart.

But there might still be hope–the studies that were reviewed only focused on over-the-counter fish oil supplements, and some cardiologists still swear by it.

David A. Friedman, MD, is the chief of heart failure services for North Shore-LIJ Plainview Hospital in Plainview, N.Y. Friedman prescribes high-dose omega-3 to many of his patients, and he says these prescriptions clearly lower blood triglyceride levels. This study did not look at prescription doses of omega-3.But he says this may not translate into the heart benefits that had been expected.“It may be that food sources of omega-3, rather than supplements, are a better choice,” he says. [SOURCE]

The American Heart Association is also still standing by fish oil as a heart-healthy oil. And besides, fish oil, krill oil, flax seed oil and chia seeds has other health benefits besides cardiovascular health. The Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to reduce inflammation throughout the body, even in the joints. It’s good for your skin, nails and hair, and has shown promise in some UK studies to reduce anxiety, ease the symptoms of manic depression and improve concentration.