EU Omega 3 Supplementation Could Prevent 1.5 Million Cardiovascular Events, Claims Industry Study

13 May 2016 --- A daily intake of 1,000mg of omega 3 EPA + DHA food supplementation could result in over 1.5 million avoided cardiovascular disease-attributed hospital events throughout the EU over the next five years. This is according to the results of a study conducted by Frost & Sullivan and initiated by the trade organization Food Supplements Europe. The analysis suggests that the total potential economic benefits would average €64.5 billion over the next five years for the entire EU population aged 55 and older. 

Patrick Coppens, Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for Food Supplements Europe (pictured) spoke to FoodIngredientsFirst about the results of the study and its potential impact: "This is going to create a new dynamic, because it’s the very first time in the EU that we really have been able to link the cost-benefit, the savings that you can get from a nutrition intervention."

Frost & Sullivan’s research focused on people aged 55 and over, a group reportedly representing 157.6 million people or 31% of the total EU population and considered to be at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). This demographic group is predicted to grow over the next several years, with the World Health Organization (WHO), stating that “the proportion of people aged over 60 years is growing faster than any other age group.” 

On the effects on cardiovascular health and its economic benefits for the EU, Coppens says: “Honestly, it also changed my perception a bit: I had never expected that the benefit would be so substantial, so it’s a very good demonstration that omega 3 fatty acids play an essential role. The level that you need to gain the reported benefit is hard to get solely through food. The baseline level you can get through food, but then you would need to eat fatty fish twice a week, which is not usual in dietary patterns. The levels that you need to get for that are not feasible through a normal diet so you need supplements.”

The report points to previous research which shows that within the target population, 40% already suffer from high blood pressure, while the “typical baseline triglyceride (TG) level among all adults age 55 and older in the EU is 1.77mmol/L, which according to the World health Organization is borderline high.” The report describes forecasts which indicate there will be 38.4 million cardiovascular disease-attributed hospital events in the EU among people within this group between 2016 and 2020. The costs related to treating these events are predicted to amount to €1.328 trillion over the five-year period in the EU – equivalent to €34,637 per event.

Coppens details what Food Supplements Europe would like to achieve by publishing the report: “What we have to do now is make sure that the outcomes of the study become known and that regulators realize that this is a promising route to shortcut healthcare cost. Healthcare costs are increasing and every country is looking at reducing these costs, so food supplements can also be a potential means of taking part in cost reduction.”

The report is strongly aimed at policy-makers within the health care industry. Food Supplements Europe hopes that by making regulators aware of the health and economic benefits of omega 3 fatty acids, those individuals in a position to influence policy can take the results to a political level and affect a change in dietary recommendations. 

Coppens says: “We would like them to realize supplements do play a role and then also take that into consideration when they publish nutritional recommendations. If they do that, then ultimately the cost-benefit will follow. The one cannot go without the other. I think we will really focus on the health care regulators, the ones that are in charge of the healthcare system costs, and consider that by realizing and communicating the benefits to consumers and society will save money.”

The study results will also have an effect on the industry, particularly omega 3 manufacturers of omega 3 fatty acids, who will use the outcomes to convey the added health benefit message to its customers and consumers. “How far they will be able to do so will depend a bit on the way in which they do it, because everybody is limited by the claims legislation in what you can communicate about the health benefits, so that will be a particular challenge,” Coppens explains. “For companies it will be more challenging to communicate the benefits to consumers in a way that is in compliance with the regulatory situation.”

With the remarkable results from this study, Coppens foresees a shift in the dialogue on the benefits of food supplements, not only for health but also on a significant economic scale for all 28 member states within the EU. “In Europe it’s never been done, so it’s a new element and we hope that will give a new dynamic to the discussion,” Coppens concludes. 

By Liesbeth Thijssen