Abstract
For decades, omega-3 fatty acids and their role in prevention of cardiovascular events has been discussed. Over this time, substantial evidence has accumulated, some supporting increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids while other did not seem to prove any benefit for supplementing food with these substances.
Number of potentially beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids, especially from fish oil, on metabolism, cell function regulation and hemodynamic parameters have been proved. This might also be the reason why we are still seeking a place for omega-3 fatty acids, even though a lot of proven effective approaches improving the prognosis of patients in risk of cardiovascular event are available.
Recently, additional data from well-designed clinical trials have been accumulated that aimed to answer this question in different populations with distinct formulations of omega-3 fatty acids. ASCEND, VITAL and REDUCE-IT trials achieved dissimilar results and have not provided a definitive answer to the question of role of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the current time.
In any case, wide supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid products to prevent vascular events is no longer advised.