Claims that oily fish is good for people's health are not backed by strong evidence, experts said today.
Researchers studied the effects of omega 3 fats on death rates, heart disease and cancer and found there was no evidence of a "clear benefit" of omega 3 fats on health.
In a study published in today's British Medical Journal( BMJ), scientists were keen to point out that the importance of omega 3's should not be ruled out. But they warned that the evidence about potential benefits should be regularly reviewed.
Omega 3 fats are found in oily fish such as mackerel and fresh tuna, supplements and some plant oils. They have been widely regarded as beneficial for health, with health experts recommending that people eat more of them.
In the BMJreport, researchers analysed 89 studies to assess the effects of omega 3 fats on different outcomes for health. Pooling the results showed no strong evidence that omega 3's had an effect on total deaths, heart attacks, heart disease, cancer or strokes.