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

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.…