[neverdem]

n–3 Fatty Acids in Patients with Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors

BACKGROUND
Trials have shown a beneficial effect of n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with a previous myocardial infarction or heart failure. We evaluated the potential benefit of such therapy in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerotic vascular disease who had not had a myocardial infarction.

METHODS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we enrolled a cohort of patients who were followed by a network of 860 general practitioners in Italy. Eligible patients were men and women with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerotic vascular disease but not myocardial infarction. Patients were randomly assigned to n−3 fatty acids (1 g daily) or placebo (olive oil). The initially specified primary end point was the cumulative rate of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. At 1 year, after the event rate was found to be lower than anticipated, the primary end point was revised as time to death from cardiovascular causes or admission to the hospital for cardiovascular causes.

RESULTS
Of the 12,513 patients enrolled, 6244 were randomly assigned to n−3 fatty acids and 6269 to placebo. With a median of 5 years of follow-up, the primary end point occurred in 1478 of 12,505 patients included in the analysis (11.8%), of whom 733 of 6239 (11.7%) had received n−3 fatty acids and 745 of 6266 (11.9%) had received placebo (adjusted hazard ratio with n−3 fatty acids, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.08; P=0.58). The same null results were observed for all the secondary end points.

CONCLUSIONS
In a large general-practice cohort of patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, daily treatment with n−3 fatty acids did not reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. (Funded by Società Prodotti Antibiotici and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00317707.)

So the placebo is a variant of the Mediterranean diet which is high in n−3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. For some reason I didn't check the abstract before I posted the article from Forbes which linked the abstract.

P.S. If a story links the original citation or its abstract, then I don't.

[imardmd1]

Thanks!

[rmlew]

But olive oil had its own health benefits. It is is a horrible placebo.

[muawiyah]

hmm ~ olive oil ~ I really can't imagine a researcher that ignorant of olive oil that he'd try an omega-3 test up against it. were they expecting a difference?

Now, how to fry fish in olive oil ~ first, catch a fish!

[muawiyah]

This study was done in Italy on Italians who consume vast quantities of olive oil every day ~ the place is drenched in olive oil.

3 g? I use more than that to fry an egg!

The test was literally DROWNED OUT!

[fanfan]

Is n-3 the same as Omega-3?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3017628/posts

[Sun]

Thanx for Post #49.

I have to laugh when I see that the placebo is OLIVE OIL (which you bolded).

When I came down with a disability, more than 10 years ago, my HDL went from 45 down to only 35, because I did practically no exercise, and spent so much time in bed.

Then I heard about olive oil raising the HDL, and after taking maybe 1 - 2 T. a day, my HDL increased to about 60. My doctor said that was very impressive.