Coronary heart disease: How do the benefits of ω-3 fatty acids compare with those of aspirin, alcohol/red wine, and statin drugs?

At the present time the primary cause of death of most Americans is cardiovascular disease. Approximately 20 million Americans are currently being treated with some form of statin drugs as a means to lower their blood cholesterol levels, and many of these same people also consume some combination of omega-3 FA, aspirin, and alcohol/red wine because of clinical data indicating that each of these, taken alone, seems to improve mortality. Recent studies with omega-3 FA have demonstrated a positive impact on mortality from coronary heart disease as well as from “all causes,” and this article compares their metabolic benefits with those of aspirin, alcohol/red wine, and statin drugs. The article suggests that these four compounds may have synergistic qualities and that clinical trials to study this possibility are warranted.