Cardiovascular benefits of Omega-3s include:
- Reduction in death after a heart attack
- Decrease in triglycerides and other bad cholesterol such as LDL
- Increasing good cholesterol or HDL
- Preventing abnormal heart rhythms
- Preventing blockages of the heart’s arteries.
Other diseases where Omega-3s may help include high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, psoriasis, lupus, Crohn’s Disease, back pain, dry eyes, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and stress-related disorders. Omega-3s are also important for pregnant women and infants, where their depletion may lead to visual or central nervous system problems in children.
Cardiovascular Benefits
For several decades, it has been known that Greenland Eskimos, who eat fish as a large portion of their diet, experience lower rates of heart disease than other populations. Their diet, comprised of cold-water fish, seal, and whale, is high in Omega-3 content. Since the observation that populations high in fish consumption have lower rates of heart disease and other health problems, scientific evidence has shown that the Omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA help protect against cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association (AHA) now recommends the dietary intake of Omega-3s for both individuals with, and without, heart disease. The US Food and Drug Administration also claims that Omega-3s play a role in reducing coronary heart disease. Finally, the FDA has approved Omega-3 to treat high levels of triglycerides – a substance that can cause blockage of the hearts arteries and heart attacks.
Many clinical trials have shown that Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce the risk of a number of different cardiovascular events, including sudden death, arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes. Studies of individuals who have survived a heart attack show that Omega-3s may decrease the risk of a second heart attack by nearly 30%, while individuals consuming even a moderate amount of Omega-3s may reduce their risk of a stroke by 50%. While it is not precisely known why Omega-3s confer such cardiovascular protective effects, it is likely that they work through several different mechanisms of action.
