By David Liu

Sunday Aug 12, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Long chain omega-polyunsaturated fatty acids such as those found in fish oil help patients with chronic heart failure, according to a study in the July 3, 2012 issue of the journal Heart.

This study led by W. Xin of  Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China and colleagues was based on data from seven randomized controlled trials of 825 patients with chronic heart failure to assess the effect of fish oil supplementation on cardiac function.  

The study showed patients taking fish oil supplements experienced 2.5% increased left ventricular ejection fraction and 7.85 ml reduced left ventricular end-systolic volume although it had no significant effect on left ventricular end-diastolic volume, compared to controls.  The changes were significant and desirable.

Further research indicated the improvement in left ventricular systolic function was more remarkable in fish oil supplemented patients with nonischaemic heart failure. 

Fish oil supplements were also found to improve the New York Heart Association functional classification and peak oxygen consumption in those with non-ischaemic heart failure.

The researchers concluded " Improvement in cardiac function, remodelling and functional capacity may be important mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic role of fish oil for patients with CHF. These effects might be more remarkable in patients with non-ischaemic heart failure."

Heart failure, a major heart disease, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, but does not mean to say that the pumping of blood is completely stopped in patients with the condition.

In addition to heart failure, fish oil benefits also include helping prevent or treat high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, AHDH, low immunity, cancer, diabetes, chronic inflammation, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, eye disorders, age-related macular degeneration and ulcers. It also helps in weight loss, pregnancy, fertility and skin care, particularly for psoriasis and acne.

Fish oil is one of the most popular dietary supplements enjoyed by both men and women.