Marketers Overstate Fish Oil Claims for Heart Health, Study Shows (msn.com) 65
An anonymous reader shared this report from the Washington Post:
Most research shows that over-the-counter fish oil supplements don't offer cardiovascular benefits, but that hasn't stopped marketers from touting them for heart health, a new study shows.
The sale of fish oil supplements is a multibillion-dollar industry, and many people take fish oil capsules daily, believing the omega-3 fatty acids they contain are good for their overall health, particularly for their heart. While it's true people who eat seafood regularly are less likely to die of heart disease, studies have not shown that taking fish oil as a supplement offers the same benefit. Even so, fish oil marketers continue to make health claims that imply a wide range of benefits, according to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Cardiology.
The researchers analyzed labels from more than 2,000 fish oil supplements that made health claims. They found more than 80 percent used what is known as a "structure and function claim," which is a general description that describes the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the body — such as "promotes heart health" or "supports heart, mind and mood." Cardiovascular health claims, which accounted for 62 percent, were most common.
Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, found naturally in fatty fish such as salmon. Higher levels of these omega-3s have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but the observational findings are based on omega-3 levels in the diet, not from supplement use, some experts say. Two recent large clinical trials showed that over-the-counter fish oil supplements do not improve cardiovascular outcomes. But the vagueness of the wording used by fish oil marketers could lead to misinformation about the role of the dietary supplement, said Ann Marie Navar, associate professor of cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who was senior author of the study.
Navar says in the article "It is true that omega-3 fatty acids are present in the brain and are important for all sorts of brain functions.
"What has not been consistently shown with high-quality trials is that taking more of it in the form of a fish oil supplement leads to improved performance or prevention of disease."
The sale of fish oil supplements is a multibillion-dollar industry, and many people take fish oil capsules daily, believing the omega-3 fatty acids they contain are good for their overall health, particularly for their heart. While it's true people who eat seafood regularly are less likely to die of heart disease, studies have not shown that taking fish oil as a supplement offers the same benefit. Even so, fish oil marketers continue to make health claims that imply a wide range of benefits, according to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Cardiology.
The researchers analyzed labels from more than 2,000 fish oil supplements that made health claims. They found more than 80 percent used what is known as a "structure and function claim," which is a general description that describes the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the body — such as "promotes heart health" or "supports heart, mind and mood." Cardiovascular health claims, which accounted for 62 percent, were most common.
Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, found naturally in fatty fish such as salmon. Higher levels of these omega-3s have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, but the observational findings are based on omega-3 levels in the diet, not from supplement use, some experts say. Two recent large clinical trials showed that over-the-counter fish oil supplements do not improve cardiovascular outcomes. But the vagueness of the wording used by fish oil marketers could lead to misinformation about the role of the dietary supplement, said Ann Marie Navar, associate professor of cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who was senior author of the study.
Navar says in the article "It is true that omega-3 fatty acids are present in the brain and are important for all sorts of brain functions.
"What has not been consistently shown with high-quality trials is that taking more of it in the form of a fish oil supplement leads to improved performance or prevention of disease."
Re: (Score:1, Troll)
Nobody has even moderated any of it dude. It's all in your head. And no, it's not spam. Spam is an unsolicited advertisement. Spam would look more like this:
Everybody should consider having a slice of John Smith 2319. He's a fat fish, which means he's high in omega 3, which will help cure male pattern baldness and give you firmer, longer lasting erections. Buy now!
Marketeers lie. Film at 11.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Seriously, they want to sell you something. Almost everybody that wants to sell you a product or idea overstates the case, and quite often outright lies. (See, e.g. some claims about "stolen" elections.) Understanding that is part of being an adult.
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Understanding that is part of being an adult.
That's not the question. No one is under the impression that marketing isn't overstated. The issue here is that the marketing is likely outright false.
Honestly I'm blown away by marketing in general in America. The world loves to shit on the USA for it, but what do you have in your defence? I picked up my hire car at O'Hare Int on Thursday and the first thing I hear on the radio is ... well a Taylor Swift song, no surprise there, but the very first commercial was for some dude selling alternative medical th
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You _like_ that crap? The mind boggles...
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Like what? Taylor Swift? I didn't say I like anything in my post. I said it's not surprising to hear the number one charting person on the radio.
You have this amazing ability to pretend people said things they objectively neither said nor implied.
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So "being blown away by" is not a statement of appreciation and awe to you? The mind boggles even more.
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So "being blown away by" is not a statement of appreciation and awe to you? The mind boggles even more.
Yeah it is awe. "Awe" is the correct word. "Like" is not. "Appreciation" is definitely not. Maybe you need to look up "blown away by" in the dictionary. It is a phrase used to express amazement alone, without any hint at a level of appreciation. Honestly I'm blown away by just how crap your grasp of English is. It leaves me equally parts amazed and disgusted.
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Understanding that is part of being an adult.
That's not the question. No one is under the impression that marketing isn't overstated. The issue here is that the marketing is likely outright false.
Honestly I'm blown away by marketing in general in America. The world loves to shit on the USA for it, but what do you have in your defence?
The defense is just ignoring the fact that people on the other side of the pond have all the pecadillos we Yanks do. I suppose it makes them feel better.
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Seriously, they want to sell you something. Almost everybody that wants to sell you a product or idea overstates the case, and quite often outright lies. (See, e.g. some claims about "stolen" elections.) Understanding that is part of being an adult.
The claims are indeed pretty ridiculous. The "Superfood" BS seems to pick a new one every few weeks. Perhaps fish oil's 15 minutes of fame is about over.
The latest superfood is Beets. You can get powdered beets to make up a beverage that will make you super.
In fact, it'll probably only make your urine a weird color. Now I do like beets, but I kinda doubt that they will make you any more or less healthy than any other good veggie.
Another commercial I've seen recently is some sort of green concoction
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The claims are indeed pretty ridiculous. The "Superfood" BS seems to pick a new one every few weeks.
Yep, that one is pretty special and not in a good way. The credible nutrition advice I have heard always says to eat many different things and nothing in excess. That typically works out just fine. You only need to be careful if you have some health problems (whether natural or self-inflicted ones like veganism).
Not all fish oil is the same. (Score:1)
There's rancid fish oil and fresh fish oil.
Rancid/oxidized fish oil is probably not good for you, and rancid fish oil (and other oils) has been a problem for years.
https://www.theguardian.com/en... [theguardian.com]
https://www.nature.com/article... [nature.com]
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Second that, many fish oils including big brand names are rancid and that surely is bad for health. If you do use fish oil capsules then cut one open and if it smells fishy then it's likely rancid.
They are like vitamins (Score:5, Interesting)
That said, not all supplements are the same. A lot of fish oil pills have a low proportion of Omega3s, and you are just eating plain fat when you take them. I've found the Nordic Naturals have a high proportion of Omega3s, and are relatively good.
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That or you could just have a balanced diet to begin with and don't do fashion diets like vegan or frutarian where you need a constant supply of supplements from crap imported from all over the world just to keep things like your eyesight, your sanity, etc.
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As though anyone knows what a "balanced diet" is. If you "need" any supplement at all, you need a "constant supply" of it.
Re: They are like vitamins (Score:2)
Whatever you're craving is often likely to keep you balanced. But if in doubt, a good ribeye and a leafy green salad with stuff like spinach and hearts of romaine, topped with crumbled blue cheese, onions, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, should pretty well top you off on everything.
Burgers alone may do a pretty good job as well, though it really depends on the burger. You might need additional potassium, and fries, which aren't exactly the junk food their reputation beholds, do help with that.
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There's nothing wrong with steak and salad (although it's very much a question of opinion whether blue cheese is edible), but I think "balanced diet" does kind-of imply not eating exactly the same thing every day. Since the original subject is fish oil, it's worth mentioning that my local health department recommends eating oily fish twice a week: I mainly follow this advice with salmon and tuna steaks.
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Blue cheese is not only edible but delicious.
And now I'm annoyed that the grocery is closed, I'm suddenly in the mood for a nice Stilton.
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Whatever you're craving is often likely to keep you balanced. But if in doubt, a good ribeye and a leafy green salad with stuff like spinach and hearts of romaine, topped with crumbled blue cheese, onions, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, should pretty well top you off on everything.
Burgers alone may do a pretty good job as well, though it really depends on the burger. You might need additional potassium, and fries, which aren't exactly the junk food their reputation beholds, do help with that.
The evidence [nih.gov] seems to indicated that food cravings [scientificamerican.com] aren't really linked to nutrient deficiencies [healthline.com].
Certainly if you're missing something like fat you can have a specific craving for fat, but if you're getting enough fat and protein and you're craving a steak or a burger it has to do with behavioural cues and not some missing vitamin.
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But why? Just eat the cake and skip the supplements. You're on a self destructive path anyway, why waste the money on feel-good do-nothing pills.
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I love how you're bothered by the ways other people eat.
I'm sure he's not. He's more bothered by self destructive lard-monsters taking valuable parking space at hospitals with their poor life choices driving everyone else's insurance premiums up.
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"I've found the Nordic Naturals have a high proportion of Omega3s, and are relatively good."
How, precisely, did you "find" this? Do your own lab testing?
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How, precisely, did you "find" this? Do your own lab testing?
1) I noticed how the supplements affected me.
2) I read the label. You can do that too.
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Anecdote is not data. Your "experience" is irrelevant. (As are most vitamin testimonials.)
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2) I read the label. You can do that too.
You realise the entire point of this Slashdot story is the label is lying to you about how these things impact your body right?
1) I noticed how the supplements affected me.
Yep, your supplement affected your brain. You took something, it made you feel good about it. You believed the marketing claim and then perpetuated a well understood theory that biases are strong than any meaningful change in your body.
You'll have the same affect if I sold you sugar pills with the same label. Notably Omega-3 fatty acids have zero impact on how your body feels.
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I linked to studies demonstrating their good health effects.
What's your point? The study you linked does not produce a measurable feeling in the body. Unless you cloned yourself several times over and then identified the clones who are suffering from heart disease were the ones not taking supplements my point stands: You are experiencing a placebo.
Also the study you linked says nothing about labels. I'm beginning to think you didn't bother reading TFS which shows another wonderful bias of yours, not content with placebo effects or expectation bias you're now demonst
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If people think you're a cunt for the way you talk, that's your problem.
Remember that feeling. It is the feeling of you finding out you are wrong.
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2) I read the label. You can do that too.
The problem with supplements is they're regulated as food, where you're expecting them to be regulated more like a drug. Unlike drug labels, food labels don't have to be all that accurate. They do need to be in the ballpark, meaning up to 20% off, but the problem is the supplement industry is notorious for often not even putting what's actually on the label inside of the package.
Did it make you feel well when you took it? Probably, but it's unlikely that whatever was in the package did anything, and it's FA
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The healthful effects of omega 3s are well established by science by now, so I'm not saying anything outrageous.
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The point is that I've tried several different brands and found one that was good.
That doesn't mean anything.
Unlikely the label had anything to do with that, since I did eat the label.
Uh -- Mkay...
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unsurprising (Score:3)
Marketing is BS because actually facts about nutrition are complicated, boring and do not sell product.
Any discussion of omega 3s that ignores omega 6s is worthless. There can be value in omega 3 supplementation, but that won't be documented on a label and won't be tested in studies like this. Trashing over the counter supplements is an old game.
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I get Omega 3 and Omega 6 delivered by the Omega Man.
The proof is in the pudding (Score:3)
Or rather, blood work. Prior to taking Omega3s I struggled to get my HDL above 40. After I started taking them I hover around 55.
So clearly there is some value in them.
Re:The proof is in the pudding (Score:5, Insightful)
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Fish pudding...disgusting!
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Or rather, blood work. Prior to taking Omega3s I struggled to get my HDL above 40. After I started taking them I hover around 55.
So clearly there is some value in them.
Your first statement does not necessarily support your second. The summary agrees that supplements can improve metrics that correlate with various diseases, but it goes on to point out that doing so is not actually associated with better outcomes with regard to those same diseases, suggesting that those metrics may be correlative rather than causative.
Troof (Score:2)
People eating fish are eating it in place of red meat, so they have a higher Omega3 reading and lower heart disease. People taking supplements are eating the amount of red meat, so their risk of heart disease isn't really affected because the red meat is what is affecting heart disease.
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>"People eating fish are eating it in place of red meat"
That is an overly broad assumption. How do you know it was in place of meat and not in place of poultry, some other seafood, or macaroni and cheese, for example?
>"so their risk of heart disease isn't really affected because the red meat is what is affecting heart disease."
Actually, it is my understanding that over-consumption of carbohydrates, simple ones especially, that lead to most heart disease. Shifting those calories to meat, poultry, sea
So, time to rotate back to (Score:1)
...snake oil
Fish oil is the new snake oil (Score:1)
omega 3 / omega 6 ratio (Score:3)
The parameter that impacts cardiovascular health is omega 3 / omega 6 ratio (well, to be precise, this is about 20-carbon long omega 3 and omega 6, and the offending omega 6 is arachidonic fatty acid). You get omega 3 from fatty fish, and omega 6 for soy-fed beef.
If you eat fish, you do not eat beef at the same time, the ratio improve. If you eat beef and take 1 grams of omega 3 from a pill, you do not change the ratio much.
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Ratio seems to be rather lopsided [nih.gov]:
Indeed, but it is quite recent. When cattle eats grass, it gets a omega 3 / omega 6 ratio of 1 from its diet, and you get the same ratio in the meat. When cattle eats soy and corn, it gets much more omega 6 than omega 3, and that uneven ratio is also present in the meat.
Marketers overstate (Score:2)
Never thought that I would ever read these 2 words together.
I'm shocked.
dietary omega3 not supplements? (Score:1)
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Why would you want fish pills? (Score:2)
Why would you want fish pills?
Fish is delicious. Pills aren't.