Treatments
Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to groups receiving either active omega-3 supplement or placebo supplements for the 12-month study period. Both the active and placebo supplement groups required the daily ingestion of five soft gel capsules. Each active supplement capsule contained 400 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 200 mg of docosahexaenoic acid, totaling 2000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. The placebo supplement each contained 1000 mg of refined olive oil, composed for 68% oleic acid, 13% palmitic acid, and 11% linolenic acid totaling a daily dose of 5000 mg of olive oil. This was equivalent to approximately 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Capsules were manufactured by the Access Business Group (Ada, MI, USA).