Omega-3 fish oil was not found to be beneficial in some research:
Some studies showed no benefit for reduction in stroke (74), no decrease in nonfatal heart attacks (69), no reduction in all-cause mortality (72), no reduction in total cardiac deaths (73), and some showed no benefit in terms of arrhythmic events (72).
Omega-3 fish oil, vitamin E, and stroke:
In a randomized controlled trial called the GISSI-Prevenzione trial done in Italy, 11,324 patients with pre-existing coronary heart disease (CHD) were randomly allocated to either 300 mg vitamin E, 850 mg omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]), both, or no treatment and followed for 3.5 years noted the following results (71):
- Reduction in nonfatal stroke was seen in participants taking 850 mg omega-3 fatty acid alone.
- Participants taking omega-3 fatty acid after 6-months experienced a 2.5% increase in HDL cholesterol and a 4% reduction in triglycerides.
Fish intake and stroke:
Fish intake has been associated with a 29% reduction in mortality risk over 2 years when eating three fish meals a week (75). An inverse association has been noted between fish intake and coronary heart disease mortality (76).