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Researchers at the University of East Anglia have cast doubt on the widely held belief that the fats found in oily fish are beneficial to health.

Omega-3 fatty acids are contained in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, and are thought to protect against heart disease. In the UK, guidelines advise people to eat four portions of oily fish every week. However, a review of 89 studies, published in the British Medical Journal, found no clear evidence that the fats give protection against heart disease, strokes or cancer.

One trial found that men with angina who ate large amounts of oily fish had a greater risk of heart attack and suffered more deaths from cardiac causes. The team could not say why their results differed from other studies in the field.

However, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) recommends that people should not stop consuming omega-3 fatty acids as a result of this study. Dr. Mike Knapton, Director of Prevention and Care at the BHF, said:

"More research is needed to establish why some studies have shown a slightly increased risk associated with eating very high amounts of oily fish, which is possibly related to mercury levels."

Dr. Knapton emphasized that eating large amounts of any one type of food is rarely best for health, and that eating a varied and balanced diet is the sensible approach.

by Wendy Anne Prosser, a freelance writer and editor.