Its use would be particularly dangerous for people with good heart health.
Cardiovascular diseases include all pathologies linked to blood vessels and the heart muscle. Among them we find myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertensive diseases and even cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). These diseases are the leading cause of death in the world and the second in France after cancer. Research is working to prevent and reduce the risks associated with these diseases. It is with this aim that English researchers studied the cardiovascular risks linked to the regular ingestion of a certain edible oil.
They analyzed data collected by questionnaire from more than 415,000 people aged 40 to 69, living in the United Kingdom. Nearly a third of the participants, followed for approximately 12 years, said they consumed this oil regularly. According to the results published in the journal BMJ Medicine, over the research period, more than 18,367 patients experienced atrial fibrillation (arrhythmia), 22,636 experienced major adverse cardiovascular events and 22,140 died. The researchers say that for people without heart problems, consumption of the oil was associated with a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation and a lower risk “increased” 5% of having a stroke. Regular consumption of the oil could therefore increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with good cardiovascular health. On the other hand, its use could be beneficial in those with cardiovascular problems. According to the study, it could lower their risk of heart attack by 15% and death by 9%.
What is this famous oil that can influence cardiovascular health? This is fish oil, particularly consumed in the form of food supplements. “Over-the-counter fish oil is very rarely recommended, is not included in any professional medical society guidelines, yet it is what most people take (for the heart, editor’s note)” commented cardiologist Andrew Freeman, on CNN. According to this doctor, this oil suffers from a lack of purity and may contain potential contaminants as well as heavy metals such as mercury. Generally speaking, doctors advise against taking food supplements without first confirming a deficiency. Likewise, it is better to look for healthy nutrients in foods rather than in these supplements. As for omega 3, we find it particularly in sardines and wild salmon.