Posted on 10/02/2006 9:15:49 PM PDT by neverdem
ROME — Every patient in the cardiac care unit at the San Filippo Neri Hospital who survives a heart attack goes home with a prescription for purified fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acids.
“It is clearly recommended in international guidelines,” said Dr. Massimo Santini, the hospital’s chief of cardiology, who added that it would be considered tantamount to malpractice in Italy to omit the drug.
In a large number of studies, prescription fish oil has been shown to improve survival after heart attacks and to reduce fatal heart rhythms. The American College of Cardiology recently strengthened its position on the medical benefit of fish oil, although some critics say that studies have not defined the magnitude of the effect.
But in the United States, heart attack victims are not generally given omega-3 fatty acids, even as they are routinely offered more expensive and invasive treatments, like pills to lower cholesterol or implantable defibrillators. Prescription fish oil, sold under the brand name Omacor, is not even approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in heart patients.
“Most cardiologists here are not giving omega-3’s even though the data supports it — there’s a real disconnect,” said Dr. Terry Jacobson, a preventive cardiologist at Emory University in Atlanta. “They have been very slow to incorporate the therapy.”
The fact that heart patients receive such different treatments in sophisticated hospitals around the world highlights the central role that drug companies play in disseminating medical information, experts said.
Because prescription fish oil is not licensed to prevent heart disease in the United States, drug companies may not legally promote it for that purpose at conferences, in doctors’ offices, to patients or even on the Internet.
“If people paid more attention to guidelines, more people would be on the drug,” Dr. Jacobson said. “But...”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I don't know about this claim, but DON'T take grapefruit juice if you're on a statin drug - it renders it ineffective!
Thanks for the site info, I'll check it out. It has been our (my wife and I) conclusion that you're right. Pharmaceuticals pooh-pooh natural remedies and demand absolute proof; even though the studies for natural remedies are just as strong or stronger than their own studies in pharmaceuticals. But there is *SO* much more money to be made on patented molecules, so I can see why.
How bout silver as an antibiotic? The FDA shoots down anybody who talks about silver.
Meanwhile, silver sulfa topicals are the treatment of choice for burn victims, in large part because it helps ward off infections.
And Curad, the band aid company, recently started marketing bandaids with silver in the pads.
And silver is used in pool filters to keep the water clear.
But listen to the FDA. They know what's good for you.
Heard of it, but haven't delved in as you have.
*Sighs heavily*.
One MORE task for my overburdened reading list.
Thanks for letting me know.
Cheers!
I will have to find some *old* materials and get permission to post them, if I can find them.
About the history of the FDA and how they came to be.
Cheers!
My cardiologist asked me to start taking Omega-3 fish oil capsules the second time I saw him. He's had me on them ever since, along with a compliment of prescription medications that I take for a specific health problem.
It's probably worth mentioning that my doc is one of the top cardiologists at the world famous Methodist Hospital in Houston. Which is sometimes referred to as "Dr. DeBakey's hospital," because of all the magnificent heart work he performed there well into his nineties.
Some people incorrectly assume that doctors at that level automatically reject any and all so-called alternative medicines, diet plans, vitamins, or exercise programs. Not my guy. He doesn't love all of them, nor does he rule all of them out.
Since it was such an odd case, I've made a point to visit some of the top cardiac medicine centers in the world - Stanford Hospital and The Cleveland Clinic. So I'm consulting with some smart, smart cookies.
At first, I was told to supplement my medicine regimine with fish oil pills. However, a bit over a year ago, a study came out that thought it would prove that fish oil pills taken by heart attack sufferers would reduce the risk of tachycardias occuring. But guess what - the study showed that it increased the risk of tachycardia. My top-level docs recommended I stop taking the fish oil right away.
(Tachycardia is the condition when the electrical signals in the heart don't come through clearly, and cause rapid heartbeat or complete electrical confusion. Tachycardias are a risk in heart-attack survivors, because the scar tissue they leave behind can cause electrical malfunctions.)
It's not "nanny state" to expect medical professionals to suggest effective treatment to their patients, especially if the patient is being prescribed something else...just taking things from the health food store isn't a good idea when some can interact with prescription medications.
If it's not something that the drug companies can benefit from, it's not used in American hospitals. You can get terrific fish oil products at good supplement stores, along with Co-Enzyme-Q10, bee pollen, and flax oil. Add the usual Ester-C, B-complex, a little bit of (natural) E once in a while, and take aspirin-81 every other day and you'll feel like a million bucks. I also take an A&D ge-cap and a zinc lozenge once in a while. I cannot remember the last time I had a cold or was sick. Years.
My optometrist recommended it for dry eyes years ago. About two years ago, she told me to take some flax oil as well. Added that, too. Does it help? Yes. Not completely though.
I hate to see some of the replies your post generates. Is it only Pinot Noir wines? Not any other thing on earth has that same chemical concotion?
Good health to you, Yossarian. That's some interesting data you provide. I think people tend to jump on the bandwagon based on inadequate research, such as the cholestrol and eggs scare. Now you say fish oil increases heart risk. Maybe we should scrap our vitamins and stick to real food and ancient remedies like wine?
What the study showed is that fish oil can cause an increased rate of cardiac arrythmias - i.e. an electrical issue - at least in those with higher risk anyways of having such problems, due to that electrically unstable scar tissue left over from a heart attack.
My advice? Stay unstressed, avoid smoking, drink some red wine, and get AEROBIC excercise for at least 45 minutes 4 days out of the week.
Also, Check your cholesterol level - but (among other things) make sure they check out the RATIO of LDL (bad cholesterol) to HDL (good cholesterol). For me my bad cholesterol was fine, but it looks like my brother and I run low HDL levels. Stress may have a lot to do with that....
Yes. It's called fish. I eat a sardine sandwich for lunch almost every day.
Our entire family takes salmon oil daily. There is no reason not to. Our old dog gets it daily as well. It's great for her arthritis.
Same here- had to get a new Vet for the old dog ( one who would come out to the house, since our old girl can't scramble up into the truck anymore ) and the first thing she suggested was fish oil. It seems to help the stiffness.
Makes one wonder why it in this country doctors never advise patients to take supplements. It's always prescription medications. Of course, Omega 3 oils are available all over the place without a prescription.
Also give her Vit C. She can use some large doses. Vit E will be helpful, too. We're also giving our old dog glucosamine as well.
Do you mind telling us your doctors name?
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