Omega Fish Oil For The Heart

Thousands of people die from heart attacks (myocardial infarction) each year. Might something as simple and readily available as fish oil prevent some of these deaths? Many doctors, nutritionists and researchers believe so.

The ability of Omega-3 essential fatty acids to protect against heart disease is well proven and impressive. The case for prevention of a second heart attack is particularly strong.

You can take your Omega-3s for heart protection in the form of oily fish, but the majority of clinical trials have used fish supplements, which also have the benifit of convenience and guaranteed omega-3 content.

Research in the 1970's found that Omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a reduced rate of occurrence of myocardial infarction-related deaths in Greenland Eskimos.

The omega-3 fish oils prevent blood platelets (the smallest type of blood cell) from sticking together. This helps minimize the risk of a blood clot, which in narrowed coronary arteries, could result in a heart attack.

Fish oils also slow the process of atherogesis (narrowing of arteries by deposits of fat, protien and cholesterol on artrrery walls) They widen the arteries; they balance HDL,(good) and LDL, (bad) chhhhholesterol; they lower raised blood pressure and they prevent cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat).

Other data suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular-related death by 29-52%. In addition, the risk of sudden cardiac death among those who consumed higher levels of Omega-3 via fish oil or through supplements was found to be reduced by 45-81%.

Fatty acid intake also significantly reduced plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decreased the low to high frequency ratio in Italian a study of 10 male coronary patients.

Research on women has also shown promise. Among women, higher consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of CHD, particularly CHD deaths. Investigators have found that women who consumed fish two to four times a week were 27% less likely to have a stroke, compared with those who ate it less than once a month.

Omega-3 oils (fish oils) protect the heart by preventing blood clots or keeping other fats from injuring the arterial walls. They not only relax arteries but also help to decrease constriction of arteries and thickening of blood.

The ability of Omega-3 fatty acids to protect against heart disease is well proven and impressive. The case against a second heart attack is particularly strong.

 You can take your Omega-3s for heart protection in the form of oily fish from the most fertile, cold and clean waters in the world. (Because depending where they are caught and the time of the year, fish vary in their Omega-3 content.)

To receive the many benefits of DHA you have to consider ensuring that you do as follows:

• Find a source of fish oil that is high in DHA or      alternatively is prepared to take much higher doses of conventional fish oil.

• Ensure that the fish oil you use is molecularly distilled.

• Try to find the oil in the Ester form for better bioavailability.