Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids does not improve heart heart, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers analyzed data from 12,513 men and women from the Risk and Prevention Study in Italy. After an average follow-up of five years, patients taking the omega-3 supplements did not reduce their risk of death or hospitalization from heart disease, compared with those who took placebo.

These findings support two recent reviews published in 2012.

Roncaglioni MC, Tombesi M, Avanzini F, et al. n-3 fatty acids in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:1800-1808.

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