Evidence supporting the use of: Omega-3 fatty acids
For the health condition: Heart (weakness)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have significant scientific support for their use in supporting cardiovascular health, including in patients with heart weakness (heart failure). Multiple large-scale clinical trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that omega-3 supplementation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, lower triglyceride levels, reduce arrhythmias, and decrease overall mortality in some patient populations. The American Heart Association recommends omega-3 fatty acids for patients with coronary heart disease and for those at risk of heart failure, based on evidence that they modestly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death and improve certain parameters of heart function. Mechanistically, omega-3s contribute to heart health by reducing inflammation, improving endothelial function, stabilizing heart cell membranes, and exerting anti-arrhythmic effects. The GISSI-Prevenzione trial and the more recent REDUCE-IT trial both showed cardiovascular benefits with omega-3 supplementation, although the magnitude of benefit varies depending on the patient population and baseline risk. While some recent studies have questioned the benefit in low-risk populations, the preponderance of evidence supports their use for secondary prevention and in patients with heart failure or weakened cardiac function. In summary, omega-3 fatty acids have robust scientific validation for supporting heart health, especially in those with existing cardiovascular disease or heart weakness, warranting a high evidence rating.

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Other health conditions supported by omega-3 fatty acids

Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Defects (prevention)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Building
Broken Bones
Bulimia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Exercise
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritability
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Muscular Dystrophy
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS Type D
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Raynaud's Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rosacea
Schizophrenia
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seborrhea
Seizures
Senility
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Spinal Disks
Strokes
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Thinking (cloudy)
Thrombosis
Triglycerides (high)
Triglycerides (low)
Vaginal Dryness