Omega-3 fatty acids are mainly found in oily fish and are thought to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood. People who have had a heart attack are advised to eat a Mediterranean-style diet (more bread, fruit, vegetables and fish). However, people should not rely on eating oily fish or taking omega 3 fatty acid supplements to prevent further heart attacks. Patients who have a high cholesterol level due to a genetic condition, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), are advised to eat at least 2 portions of fish a week (1 should be oily fish). However omega-3 fatty acid supplements are not recommended for FH patients since it is advised that omega-3 levels are achieved naturally through diet and not by taking these supplements.
Omega-3 fatty are also thought to have a beneficial effect on other conditions such as arthritis and agerelated macular degeneration.
The NHS needs to make sure that it makes the best possible use of the funding it receives so that it can continue to invest in new services and treatments to benefit patients. There has been recent evidence which shows that omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not significantly lower the cholesterol level or protect the heart after having a heart attack. There is also a lack of evidence to show that omega-3 fatty acid supplements have any beneficial effect in other medical conditions such as arthritis or age-related macular degeneration.
Therefore, GPs will no longer prescribe omega-3 fatty acid supplements on the NHS when there is no evidence that there is any clinical benefit for patients.
You may choose to buy omega-3 fatty acid supplements if you wish to continue taking them but be advised that there is no clinical evidence to support any beneficial effect (for example it does not significantly lower the cholesterol level or protect the heart after a heart attack). If you wish to continue taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements, ask your local community pharmacist for advice on a suitable product.
Patients with particular health conditions should always seek medical advice before taking health supplements. Omega-3 supplements are likely to be safe for most people but they may interact with some drugs such as those used to thin the blood, for example warfarin. They can sometimes cause mild side effects such as stomach problems, indigestion and feeling sick (nausea). You can take omega-3 fatty acid supplements at meal times to reduce these side effects. Pregnant or breast-feeding ladies should not take these supplements since the safe use in these patients has not been established.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements will no longer be prescribed on the NHS by your GP. This is because there is no clinical evidence to show that they reduce the cholesterol level or prevent heart attacks or have any other clinical benefits.

You may choose to buy omega-3 fatty acid supplements if you wish to continue taking them but the benefit from the use of these supplements is not supported by clinical evidence.

Omega-3 supplements may interact with some medicines or may affect some medical conditions. You should always seek advice from your community pharmacist if you are considering using these supplements
Herts Valleys CCG Patient Information Leaflet March 2015: Omega-3 fatty acid
Produced by HVCCG Pharmacy & Medicines Optimisation Team (PMOT) with acknowledgement to the Medicines Optimisation
Team, Luton CCG and the Clinical Effectiveness and Medicines Management Group, Wandsworth CCG .
Документ1