Frontline: Fish Oil; Loss of Muscle Mass; Dementia Risk
Prescription Fish Oil Helps Reduce High Triglycerides
Taking prescription omega-3 fatty acids effectively and safely reduces high triglyceride levels, according to an advisory from the American Heart Association published in the Sept. 19, 2019 issue of the journal Circulation. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and fish oil products. For patients with very high triglycerides of 500 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or greater, taking prescription omega-3s at a dose of 4 grams per day has been shown to reduce triglyceride levels by at least 30 percent. Among people with triglycerides in the 200-499 mg/dL range, the 4 gram-per-day dose of omega-3s lowered triglycerides by 20 to 30 percent. Available prescription omega-3s include Lovaza and Vascepa. Elevated triglyceride levels are associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and pancreatitis (acute inflammation of the pancreas). The advisory noted that over-the-counter omega-3 supplements are not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should not be used in place of prescription medication for managing high triglycerides.
Loss of Muscle Mass Linked with Higher Fracture Risk
Losing lean body mass is associated with a higher fracture risk, according to research presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research annual meeting in September 2019. The researchers analyzed data collected from more than 9,000 study participants, 95 percent of whom were female, with a mean age of 67 at the study’s outset. They found that participants who lost muscle mass (lean body mass) over the six-year follow-up period had a higher incidence of fracture than those whose muscle mass remained the same. They also found no association between loss of body fat and risk of osteoporosis or hip fracture. Loss of muscle mass occurs due to the aging process, so it’s important to stay active and do strength training that can help you maintain or even increase your muscle mass as you get older.
Increased Risk of Dementia Tied to Widely Used Medications
Taking anticholinergic medication is associated with a higher risk of dementia, according to a study that appeared online June 24, 2019 in JAMA Internal Medicine. Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat a wide array of conditions, including allergies, colds, insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, COPD, and overactive bladder. Some common anticholinergic drugs include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), brompheniramine and phenylephrine (Dimetapp), doxepin (Sinequan), paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel), mirtazapine (Remeron), darifenacin (Enablex), fesoterodine (Toviaz), flavoxate (Urispas), and oxybutynin (Ditropan). If you take an anticholinergic, you may want to ask your doctor if another type of medication could effectively treat your condition. However, don’t stop taking any prescription medication until you’ve discussed it with your doctor.
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