Living with coronary artery disease means managing constant inflammation. Researchers looked at how adding specific fish oils, known as EPA and DHA, might affect these inflammatory markers in patients already taking statins for their heart health.
The study followed 240 patients over 30 months. They found that those who took 3.36 grams of EPA and DHA daily had significantly lower levels of a specific inflammatory protein in their mouth fluids compared to those who did not take the supplement. They also saw a lower systemic neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, which is a common way doctors measure inflammation in the blood.
While these results are promising for managing inflammation, it is important to note that the study was a secondary analysis and did not directly measure improvements in gum health or heart risk. The researchers also noted that some local differences in the mouth might be linked to whether a person is left-handed or right-handed.
