Do Fish Oil Supplements Protect Your Heart?

Many people take fish oil supplements because someevidence suggests
that the omega-3 fatty acids they contain help protect against
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and sudden death caused by heart rhythm
abnormalities. But there is conflicting evidence from several research
studies and, in theend, these supplements areprobably not helpful.
Results of a New Study
The fatty acids thought to help protect against CVD are called
eicosapentaenoicacid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In
reviewing this ongoing issue, the latest results are from a
meta-analysis published recently in Archives of Internal Medicine.
This report examined 14 research trials that enrolled20,485 patients.
These patients, all with known aCVD, took either a placeboor fish oil
supplements. Theaverage dose was 1.7 gram/day of EPA and DHA. The
results showed that supplementation did not reduce the risk of CVD
events, sudden cardiac death, heart attacks, strokeand transient
ischemic events, or deaths from all causes. The authors concluded that
fish oil supplements were not beneficial in secondary prevention
(preventative measures used in people with a prior history of CVD.)
Results of Previous Studies Differ
One reason for the popularity of fish oil supplementation was the 1999
report of a large Italian study which followed people who took fish
oil supplements for a period of 3.5 years, startingwithin 3 months
after a heart attack. Those taking the supplements significanty
lowered their risk for overall death as well as a combination of CVD
outcomes, compared to study participants who did not take fish oil
after a heart attack. While that sounded promising, two other research
trials looking at secondary prevention, published in 2010, found
different results, as did the meta-analysis described above. These
trials found that fish oil supplements offered no protection against
CVD events. What could be the reason?
There are a couple of possible explanations for the different results
of the latest studies:
1) accurate determination of the benefits of preventive measures
requires a longer follow-upthan employed in any of these studies; and,
2) any possible benefits of fish oil supplements were not apparent in
participants in the later studies because their CVD risk was reduced
by taking the new medications to control cholesterol levels and blood
pressure.
In addition, an earlier meta-analysis also had found no CVD benefits
of fish oil supplements in people with no prior history of CVD (i.e.,
primary prevention).
Should you continue to take fish oil supplements?
I think not, but there does remain the possibility that fish oils
provide some protection against CVD. Thecontroversy may be resolved by
results of the ongoing vitamin D and omega-3 trial that will enroll
20,000 men older than 50 and women older than 55.
Omega-3s are Essential in Your Diet
Despite the disappointing research results around fishoil, omega-3
fatty acids arean essential dietary component since humans can't make
these fats.
If you decide to continue to take fish oil supplements, you'll want to
understand that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA comprise only
about 20 percent of most supplements. Meanwhile, whether you have CVD
or not, you should eat at leasttwo servings of marine fishweekly
because they not only contain omega-3 fattyacids but may also replace
your intake of less healthy red meat.
One final point about fish oil—there is even less evidence to support
other beneficial claims for these supplements, for example to improve
memory and joint pains of rheumatoid arthritis. However, strong
evidence does show that large doses of fish oil supplements
effectively lower blood triglycerides (but do not raise HDL
cholesterol or lower LDL cholesterol levels).

Why are female doctors paid less than male counterparts?

Male doctors earn more than their female counterparts, even if
theyhave similar hours, titles and specialties, according to new
American research.
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Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System and Duke
University conducted an analysis that found male doctors earn
about$12,000 more a year thanfemale physicians. The findings were
published Wednesday in the Journalof the American Medical Association.
"The gender pay disparitywe found in this highly talented and select
groupof physicians was sobering," Reshma Jagsi, associate professor of
radiation oncology at the University of Michigan Medical School and
lead author of the study said in a press release .
The researchers surveyed about 800 doctors who had received
competitive grants early in their careers from the U.S. National
Institutes of Health. Doing, allowing researchers to examine a pool of
similarly motivated and talented physicians.
The results showed that, on average, male doctors earned about
$200,400 a year, while female physicians earned about$167,600. Some of
the differences are explained by differences in medical specialty,
with men goinginto fields that traditionally pay more. For instance,
studies show men are more likely to choose cardiology, which typically
pays high amounts, while women are more likely to opt for the
less-lucrative pediatrics. When those differences were factored in,
the overall pay gap between men and women was about$12,000, the
researchers said.
Over a 30-year career, that difference would addup to about $360,000.
Why the difference?
The Associated Press spoke to two women in the medical field who
believe a big factor is the fact men are simply better at
self-promotion and pushing for more money.
"Male faculty members are willing to negotiate more aggressively. It
maybe social and cultural. It seems to be fairly deep-rooted," JoAnn
Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital,
told the Associated Press.
Of course, the issue isn't just limited to the medical profession. Pay
inequality has been the subject of debate for years, and could become
an issue in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. One of the biggest
reasons researchers point to in the gender pay-inequality gap is the
fact many women interrupt their careers to have children.
Is there any solution to the persistent problem of pay inequality
between men and women?

HADEES :- ~

Waraqah ibn Nawfal, the cousin of Khadijah (ra) was a Christian and a
man of faith. His words to the Prophet (s) when he first received
revelation show us the loyalty we should have to the Message and the
Messenger:
"I wish that I were still young. I hope I will still be alive when
your people drive you out!" The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi
wa sallam) said, "Will they drive me out?" He said,"Yes, no man has
brought anything similar to what you have brought without being
treated with hostility. If I am still alive on that day, I will give
you my strong support."
[Sahih Muslim]

Al Qur'an Ayath Explanation: - -

"And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your
people from the darknesses into the light and remind them of the days
of Allah." Indeed in that are signs for every patient and grateful
one." [Ibrahim: 5]
- Reminding people of the days of Allah `azza wa jall, and connecting
them to Him is one of the greatest things a person or a da'ee can do
for a person. Waffaqanallahu wa iyyakum (may Allah grant us success,
ameen).