REDUCE-IT Study: Omega-3 Supplements Reduce 25% of Serious Cardiovascular Events

Deaths from vascular causes, non-fatal heart attacks, and coronary revascularization are some of the serious cardiovascular events for which risk can be reduced thanks to Omega 3. Confirmation comes from a new study that once again proves their effectiveness.

The link between Omega 3 intake and reduced risks to heart health is real. The protective efficacy of these fatty acids is confirmed by the results of the REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with EPA Intervention Trial) study published by Amarin Corporation plc, a pharmaceutical company focused on developing solutions to improve cardiovascular health. The detailed results of REDUCE-IT will be presented on November 10 in Chicago (United States) during the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions. However, a few days ago, Amarin announced that the study showed that taking a supplement providing 4 grams per day of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, one of the Omega 3 fatty acids essential for human health and linked to better cardiovascular outcomes) is associated with a 25% relative risk reduction of major cardiovascular events — specifically deaths from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization.

Omega 3, efficacy confirmed by large-scale intervention study

REDUCE-IT was conducted by an international team of researchers led by Deepak Bhatt, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston (United States), and involved over 8,000 patients treated with statins (widely used drugs to control blood cholesterol levels — an important cardiovascular risk factor). Regarding cholesterol, the participants were considered protected: LDL levels (so-called “bad” cholesterol) were controlled within normal ranges (specifically, between 41 and 100 mg/dl) by drug therapy. However, these patients were at high cardiovascular risk due to other factors. In particular, participants had high triglyceride levels (between 150 and 499 mg/dl) combined with cardiovascular disease or diabetes plus at least one other cardiovascular risk factor. The statistically significant 25% relative risk reduction of major cardiovascular events observed in this study puts to rest doubts raised by recent reviews of randomized controlled trials on Omega 3 effects, confirming two limitations:

• the failure to consider the daily Omega 3 dosage, sometimes below the amounts necessary to observe a significant effect;
• the failure to consider the cardiovascular risk of the patients involved.

With its high dosage (4 grams per day) and careful participant selection, REDUCE-IT overcame these limitations and highlighted the benefits of Omega 3.

Omega 3 and cardiovascular health

The association between Omega 3 and cardiovascular health has been known for several decades. The first clues date back to the 1970s when researchers observed the reduced incidence of cardiovascular disorders in Greenland’s Inuit populations, characterized by a diet rich in Omega 3 sources and a particularly high level of these fatty acids in platelet membranes. Numerous studies have amassed substantial data supporting the protective role of Omega 3 on heart and arteries. In light of these data, EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) has authorized health claims stating that EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, another Omega 3 linked to cardiovascular health benefits):

• help maintain blood triglyceride levels within the normal range;
• help maintain blood pressure within the normal range;
• contribute to the proper functioning of the heart.

Randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of Omega 3 intake on cardiovascular health have produced mixed results. Nevertheless, even before REDUCE-IT concluded, one effect appeared rather clear: the reduction in risk of death from heart-related causes. The new results announced by Amarin further confirm the benefits of Omega 3.     

Sources: Amarin Corporation plc. https://goo.gl/QvBZPR. 27/09/18 Dyerberg J and Bang HO. Haemostatic function and platelet polyunsaturated fatty acids in Eskimos. Lancet. 1979 Sep 1;2(8140):433-5 European Commission. EU Register of nutrition and health claims made on foods. https://goo.gl/faHW7R. 25/09/18 Maki KC and Dicklin MR. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Glass Half Full or Time to Nail the Coffin Shut? Nutrients. 2018 Jul 4;10(7). doi: 10.3390/nu10070864 Maki KC et al. Use of supplemental long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and risk for cardiac death: An updated meta-analysis and review of research gaps. J Clin Lipidol. 2017 Sep - Oct;11(5):1152-1160.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2017.07.010 The Goed Current – Breaking News. REDUCE-IT Results: Statistically Significant 25% Risk Reduction in Major Adverse CV Events. 2018 September 24 Image:Pixabay