Heart attack is one of the leading causes of death, which is common among people who have a history of heart disease.
It is a well-known fact that the risk of heart disease or heart attack decreases by following a healthy lifestyle, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising regularly. However, it could be a bit surprising to know that taking certain supplements may reduce the risk of a heart attack.
A new study represented at the conference of the North American Menopause Society has looked for the benefits of fish oil and vitamin D supplements in patients with cancer and heart disease.
Researchers examined more than 25,000 Americans who participated in the clinical study and followed them up for five years.
The results were promising as the researchers found that consuming supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids (derived from fish oil) and vitamin D significantly decreased the risk of heart attacks and cancer mortality.
They noted that fish oil, in particular, was associated with a substantial reduction in heart attacks. Fish oil pills were found to be more effective for those who do not eat fish on a regular basis.
The authors explained that those who took vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements were 50 percent less likely to die from a heart attack and 28 percent less likely to have one.
It was also found that taking supplements containing vitamin D lowered the risk of developing cancer, with a substantial reduction in cancer mortality.
Lead study author Dr. JoAnn Manson from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said, “Whether vitamin D or omega-3 supplementation is beneficial for the prevention of cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general populations is a subject of ongoing debate. VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial) was designed to fill these knowledge gaps.”
Dr. Manson added, “Vitamin D was associated with a suggestive 17 percent reduction in cancer mortality, which strengthened to a statistically significant 25 percent reduction in analyses excluding early follow-up.” “The pattern of findings suggests a complex balance of benefits and risks for each intervention,” continued Dr. Manson. “Additional research is needed to determine which individuals may be most likely to derive a net benefit from these supplements.”
