A once-a-day capsule of fish oils could reduce the risk of death in patients with heart failure by up to 14 per cent, a study has found.

Daily fish oil capsule can reduce risk of death in heart failure patients by 14%
Article in the Sunday Telegraph

Extracts:

"Almost one million people in the UK are thought to have heart failure, a condition in which the heart muscle is weakened and does not pump efficiently.

A research study has found that patients who took omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid capsules were less likely to die or be admitted to hospital with heart problems than those who took a dummy pill.

The capsules contained 1 gram of omega 3, which is known to be good for the heart as it helps improve the elasticity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation and promotes a good rhythm.

Omega 3 is present in cod liver oil and is found naturally in fish such as salmon and mackerel.

Across the whole group of almost 7,000 participants there was a 9 per cent reduced risk of death in those on fish oils.

But when the researchers looked at 5,000 patients who followed the once-daily regime more closely, the effect was bigger and the risk of deaths was reduced by 14 per cent."

"Prof Luigi Tavazzi from the research centre of the of the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists based in Florence, said: "Our study shows that the long-term administration of 1g per day of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid was effective in reducing both all-cause mortality and admissions to hospital for cardiovascular reasons.

"This is the first study of omega 3 in patients with heart failure, an area which is not rich in new drugs."

This is a modest effect but it is on top of recommended therapies. It's safe, simple and cheap.""

I welcome this report. I have been taking omega 3 capsules for years and feel sure they do me good.

But the most important measure to take to improve heart health and avoid heart failure is to avoid salt and salty food.

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

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