Research Update: Fish Oil and Heart Disease

The prescription fish oil Vascepa has been approved since December of last year. The fish oil medication was originally intended for those who had a family history of high triglycerides of 500 mg/dl or greater. In the approval process, the recommendation was lowered to those whose triglycerides were at least 150 mg/dl and who were taking a statin medication. But the research hasn’t stopped.

Research on Vascepa as well as over-the-counter (OTC) fish oil supplements continues. From the pharmaceutical perspective, more research on the use of the medication could result in an increase in the potential applications of this pharmaceutical. From the dietary supplement perspective, research may help establish the efficacy of using fish oil dietary supplements instead of the prescription medication

Last week within one day of each other, studies on prescription fish oil and fish oil supplements were published that both demonstrated significant benefits. We’ll review those studies the rest of the week and see if we can find out whether fish oil dietary supplements match up with pharmaceutical fish oil. If you want a preview of the studies, check the references below; they’re both open access.

What are you prepared to do today?