AHA Recommendations

The AHA recommends that all adults eat fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week.3 Fish is a good source of protein and is low in saturated fat. Fish, especially oily species like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon, provide significant amounts of the two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids shown to be cardioprotective, EPA and DHA. The AHA also recommends eating plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids. Tofu and other forms of soybeans; walnuts and flaxseeds and their oils; and canola oil all contain ALA.

For patients with documented CHD, the AHA recommends 1 g of EPA and DHA (combined) per day. This may be obtained from the consumption of oily fish or from omega-3 fatty acid capsules, although the decision to use the latter should be made in consultation with a physician. The amount of EPA and DHA in fish and fish oil is presented in the recent AHA Scientific Advisory on omega-3 fatty acids and CVD.2

An EPA+DHA supplement may be useful in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Two to four grams of EPA+DHA per day can lower triglyceride 20% to 40%. Patients taking more than three grams of these fatty acids from supplements should do so only under a physician’s care. Very high ("Eskimo") intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people.

Cautions
Some types of fish may contain significant levels of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and other environmental contaminants. Levels of these substances are generally highest in older, larger, predatory fish and marine mammals. Two recent epidemiologic studies have reported conflicting findings about whether there is an association between methylmercury exposure and CHD, with one showing a negative effect on CHD health in adult men,4 and the other reporting no association between methylmercury exposure and CHD in a large cohort of male health professionals.5 While further studies are needed to resolve this issue, it is important to appreciate that there are many species of fish that are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids that are low in methylmercury6 and that fish oil supplements are methylmercury-free.7
The benefits and risks of eating fish vary depending on a person’s stage of life. Specific guidance on fish consumption can be found on web sites at the Environmental Protection Agency8 and the US Food and Drug Administration.9
Children and pregnant and nursing women usually have very low CVD risk but may be at higher risk of exposure to excessive mercury from fish. Avoiding potentially contaminated fish is a higher priority for these groups.
For middle-aged and older men and for women after menopause, the benefits of eating fish far outweigh the risks when consumed according to the guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.
Eating a variety of fish will help minimize any potentially adverse effects due to environmental pollutants.

Conclusion
Randomized trials have convincingly documented that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce the occurrence of CVD events in patients with coronary artery disease. The strongest evidence to date is from studies in which marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids have been consumed as supplements or fish. Additional clinical studies are needed to confirm the cardioprotective benefits of ALA. A food-based approach to increasing omega-3 fatty acids is preferable, although supplements are a suitable alternative. Additional clinical and mechanistic studies are needed to confirm and further define the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for both primary and secondary prevention.

PMID 12588750

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