Again, No Benefit of ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Addition of anti-inflammatory lutein and zeaxanthin did not help.

Consumption of fatty fish rich in long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with lower risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease and death, but no CV benefits have been demonstrated for supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids. The macular xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin are purported to have anti-inflammatory effects, and people with higher lutein levels have lower levels of coronary atherosclerosis. In this secondary analysis, researchers looked at CV outcomes in 4200 adults (median age, 74; mostly white) who were participating in a large multicenter trial of supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), lutein, and zeaxanthin for preventing progression of macular degeneration.

Participants were randomized to daily DHA (350 mg) plus EPA (650 mg), lutein (10 mg) plus zeaxanthin (2 mg), both, or neither. During median follow-up of about 5 years, 460 CV events were identified. Incidence of these events did not differ significantly among the four groups, nor did adverse events.

Citation(s):

Bonds DE et al. Effect of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids and lutein + zeaxanthin supplements on cardiovascular outcomes: Results of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2014 May; 174:763.