The kidneys are vital organs, and unfortunately, two of the most common modern-day scourges, diabetes and high blood pressure, are putting a lot of Americans at risk for kidney failure.
When the kidneys begin to fail, the body does not properly filter waste products from the blood and excrete them in urine.
Over time, this build-up of waste can cause permanent damage to the kidneys, reducing their effectiveness. Once the kidneys hit the 10% to15% threshold in terms of how much function remains, dialysis is needed to remove the extra fluid and waste products.
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And even though dialysis is necessary, lifesaving at this point, it can be extremely hard on the body. One of the most significant long-term downsides is the heightened risk of cardiovascular complications.
Over time, the fluctuations in fluid levels, blood pressure and electrolyte balance caused by dialysis can put a strain on theheart, increasing the risk of conditions such as hypertension, arrhythmias and heart failure.
But there may be some good news on that front. A team of international researchers has discovered that a simple supplement may help reduce serious cardiovascular events in patients on dialysis…
The protective benefits of fish oil
The PISCES trial involved 1,228 participants with kidney failure across 26 dialysis sites in Australia and Canada. Participants were given either 4 grams of fish oil per day, containing the natural active ingredients EPA and DHA, or a placebo.
“Patients on dialysis have extremely high cardiovascular risk, and very few therapies have been shown to reduce that risk,” says Monash University professor Kevan Polkinghorne, who served as lead investigator for the Australian arm of the study.
The results were astounding. The participants who received the fish oil demonstrated a 43 percent lower rate of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, cardiac death and vascular-related amputations compared with the placebo group. Even patients who had already experienced a heart event saw benefits.
“In a field where many trials have been negative, this is a significant finding,” Polkinghorne says.
Polkinghorne notes that levels of EPA and DHA are typically much lower in dialysis patients than in the general population. “This may help explain the magnitude of benefit observed in this group,” he says.
“While other heart protective medications have been shown to be beneficial in the general population, they haven’t consistently reduced cardiovascular events in the hemodialysis population,” says Dr. Charmaine Lok of the University Health Network in Toronto, who also provided leadership for the study. “Fish oil supplementation is a simple, well-tolerated intervention that could have a meaningful impact.”
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No side effects reported
Blood tests showed the patients taking fish oil had higher levels of EPA and DHA, confirming the capsules were absorbed and used by the body.
One concern with omega-3 supplements was that they could cause bleeding or potentially other serious side effects. However, the study found no increase in these effects.
Polkinghorne cautions that the findings are specific to people receiving HD for kidney failure and should not be applied to healthy individuals or other patient groups.
But, I think it’s important to share that the American Heart Association reports the intake of omega-3s by U.S. adults is “abysmally low,” and most health agencies don’t offer guidance for how much omega-3 fatty acids to take.
If you are a patient on dialysis, taking fish oil capsules isn’t a substitute for vigilant monitoring of your blood pressure, fluid levels and lipid profiles. Regular assessments of these factors to protect your heart health can help head off any critical issues.
If you have kidney disease but are not yet on dialysis, there are steps you can take to bolster your kidney health so that you can avoid dialysis. For instance, a compound in cruciferous vegetables has been shown to mitigate diabetic-related kidney damage. And vitamin B1, or thiamine, can help slow and potentially reverse kidney damage in its earlier stages.
If you are being treated for kidney disease or undergoing dialysis, always consult your physician before adding a supplement that may or may not impact your treatment.
Sources:
Fish oil supplement halves serious cardiovascular events in patients on dialysis — Monash University
A daily fish oil supplement slashed serious heart risks in dialysis patients — ScienceDaily
Reducing Heart Risk in Kidney Care — UNH Research
Fish-Oil Supplementation and Cardiovascular Events in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis — The New England Journal of Medicine
Dialysis — National Kidney Foundation
Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Dialysis on Health — Metropolitan Kidney Centers
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