Imagine a study using contradictory nutrients hoping to find a beneficial value for one of them. Below is copy from just such a study abstract. ref
"Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2013 Jun 17. [Epub ahead of print]
No effect of n-3 (Omega 3) fatty acids on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after myocardial infarction: The Alpha Omega Trial.
Hoogeveen EK, Geleijnse JM, Kromhout D, Giltay EJ.
Source
Department of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, Den Bosch, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Persistent inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. n-3 Fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined the effect of plant-derived alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and marine n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a systemic marker of (low-grade) inflammation.
DESIGN/METHODS:
A supplementary study in the Alpha Omega Trial: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of low-dose n-3 fatty acids. Patients were enrolled from 2002 to 2006 and followed for 40 months. A total of 2425 patients, aged 60-80 years (79% men), with a history of myocardial infarction, were randomly assigned to margarines supplemented with a targeted additional intake of 400 mg/day EPA and DHA, 2 g/day ALA, EPA-DHA plus ALA, or placebo for 40 months.
RESULTS:
Patients consumed on average 19.8 g margarine/day, providing an additional amount of 238 mg/day EPA with 158 mg/day DHA, 1.98 g/day ALA, or both, in the active treatment groups. In the placebo group, the geometric mean hsCRP (95% confidence interval (CI)) was 1.84 mg/l (95% CI: +1.70 to +2.00) at baseline and 1.98 mg/l (95% CI: 1.82 to 2.15) after 40 months (p < 0.0001). hsCRP levels were not affected by ALA (-5% versus placebo; 95% CI: -14% to +6%, p = 0.37), EPA-DHA (-8% versus placebo; 95% CI: -17% to +2%, p = 0.13), or EPA-DHA plus ALA (-3% versus placebo; 95% CI: -12% to +8%, p = 0.62).
CONCLUSIONS:
Long-term supplementation with modest amounts of EPA-DHA, whether or not in combination with ALA, did not affect hsCRP levels in patients with a history of myocardial infarction. TRIAL REGISTRATION CLINICALTRIALS.GOV NUMBER: NCT00127452.
KEYWORDS:
alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, n-3 Fatty acids, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
PMID: 23774275 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]" --end copy
ANALYSIS: Many studies have shown positive results for omega 3 fatty acids on curbing inflammation. ref While this study attempts to measure the anti-inflammatory abilities of omega 3 as EPA and DHA, the Scientists set up a very strange scenario. They used a large amount of margarine to carry these omega 3's into the body. This is like a fireman using gasoline to put out a fire. Margarines generally supply mostly omega 6 fatty acids which on breakdown in the body can generate inflammation if not enough omega 3 as EPA is present to balance this effect. (the margarine may also have contained trans-fats) So it is quite puzzling why such a little amount at 400 mg of omega 3 was tested while giving such a large dose at 19.8 grams of margarine which probably contains a significant amount of omega 6. The Scientists that conducted this study surely are not ignorant of the balance the body needs between omega 3 and omega 6 in controlling the inflammatory response? A healthy ratio is under 5 to 1, omega 6 to omega 3. ref This study used a 20-35 to 1 ratio, depending on if the margarine was low fat or not. Some Margarines today have added omega 3 in an attempt to overcome this unhealthy ratio.
So the question that has to be asked; did they set out to fail?
Regarding the Scientists of this article, they conducted a similar study 2 years before this one and somehow arrived at a positive result. So it was logical to continue with another similar study. ref