Taking flaxseed or walnut oil supplements doesn’t seem to help prevent heart disease, based on clinical trial results.
Scientific Claim
Supplementing with alpha-linolenic acid (a plant-based omega-3) shows no significant effect on coronary disease risk (RR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.69–1.36) based on randomized trials.
Original Statement
“In randomized, controlled trials, relative risks for coronary disease were 0.97 (CI, 0.69 to 1.36) for α-linolenic ... fatty acid supplementations.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim correctly uses neutral language and reports the wide CI, avoiding overinterpretation of an inconclusive result.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Association of dietary, circulating, and supplement fatty acids with coronary risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This big study looked at many people who took plant-based omega-3 supplements and found they didn’t have fewer heart problems than those who didn’t take them, so the supplement doesn’t seem to help or hurt heart health.