Omega-3 is a fatty acid that is essential for our health, as it helps reduce triglyceride levels in the blood. Likewise, it is one of the nutritional supplements most consumed by Spaniards, according to data from the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU). However, this same entity has recently expressed its concern regarding the consumption of this type of product due to the confirmation of a new adverse effect by the European Medicines Agency. According to this agency, omega-3-based medications increase the likelihood of suffering from atrial fibrillation, a type of cardiac arrhythmia.
According to the OCU, atrial fibrillation causes the heart to beat "at a chaotic and generally very fast pace," and although it is not a fatal condition, its effects can present health risks: "If the blood does not move at the proper rate through the chambers of the heart, it can clot and form blood clots that then travel to other parts of the body, such as the brain or lungs. This condition is more likely to occur in people who have previous cardiovascular diseases, or risk factors such as high body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol.
The European Medicines Agency has also established that the risk of suffering from this type of arrhythmias increases proportionally depending on the dose of medication consumed, especially with the maximum dose of 4 grams per day. The recurrence of this new side effect has been classified by the entity as frequent, since it occurs between 1 and 10% of patients who consume this type of medication. Other adverse effects previously associated with the consumption of these products include symptoms such as gastroenteritis, dizziness, taste alterations, allergic reactions, indigestion or nausea.
Although the alert issued by the entity makes explicit reference to omega-3-based medications, the OCU has explained that this new risk could also apply to nutritional supplements that contain this element, since "the fatty acids in the supplements omega-3 dietary supplements are usually the same as those in medications. However, they also establish that food supplements usually contain lower amounts of fatty acids compared to the recommended daily dose.
In addition to issuing an alert about the risk of arrhythmia associated with this type of medication, the OCU has expressed its concern regarding the unmedicated consumption of omega-3 nutritional supplements, which is why it recommends "those who are consuming omega-3 dietary supplements 3 and have cardiovascular problems or risk factors, let your doctor know.
Omega-3 is one of the fatty acids that is not produced naturally in the body, so it must be obtained through food or supplements. Some natural sources of this nutrient include foods, such as salmon, avocado, or certain types of nuts.
