Can the use of omega-3 fatty acids prevent heart attacks in people with diabetes? Medscape described the results of two studies. They initially described a full cohort from the Alpha Omega Trial which did not provide encouraging results. There are three different omega 3 fatty acids. A trial published in the November 18, 2010, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated that neither the combination of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) nor the plant-derived α-linolenic acid (ALA) were effective in the prevention of major cardiovascular events among patients with a previous myocardial infarction. A new trial published in diabetes care, focused on patients with diabetes who had a previous heart attack. This trial showed that the combination of all three omega 3s reduced the risk for ventricular arrhythmia–related events, but not the risk for fatal myocardial infarction (heart attack). As separate therapies, EPA plus DHA and ALA failed to improve any study outcome compared with placebo. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish and plant oils, walnuts, and supplements. Would you like to imporve your diet to include more omega 3 fatty acids. I invite you to review a previous post about omega 3 fatty acids. For that article, CLICK HERE.
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