Today, there seems to be a recommended supplement for just about any health problem. If you are tired, try increasing vitamin B12. If you get bruised easily, try iron supplements. Do you want a healthier skin? Maybe vitamin E helps. It's hard to know which supplements are actually helpful and which may not do the magic they claim.
For heart health, you may have heard a lot about the benefits of fish oil supplements. While studies have shown that fish oil supplements can benefit some people with heart problems, the real source of these cardiovascular health benefits is a family of polyunsaturated fats called omega-3 fatty acids. You should know about fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids and heart disease.
What are Omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in both marine and vegetable foods and oils. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids:
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is contained in vegetable oils such as linseed, soybean and rapeseed oils.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which occurs in greasy fish such as salmon and tuna
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which occurs in greasy fish such as salmon and tuna
ALA is an essential omega-3 fatty acid, which means that your body can not do it. EPA and DHA are not considered essential because they can be made from ALA. However, this method is not very efficient and therefore can not be trusted to generate significant amounts of EPA and DHA.
The most consistent evidence of omega-3 fatty acids and heart health is their ability to lower triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood and are stored as body fat. High triglyceride levels have been linked to accumulations of fat in the arterial walls, which increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Reduced risk of cardiac arrhythmias
If your heart beats abnormally, it's called an arrhythmia. Some arrhythmias are harmless, others, such as AFib, may increase the risk of stroke or other serious cardiac problems. Some studies have shown an association between increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids and a reduced risk of cardiac arrhythmia, although this is not an effective drug for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias
Lower plaque deposition rate
Mainly fat, cholesterol and calcium, plaque can accumulate in your arteries and limit the flow of oxygenated blood through your body. A diet rich in fish and seafood was associated with a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Fish are low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fatty acids have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect and can also improve the function of the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels. Therefore, the use in cardiovascular diseases could be beneficial, which is not yet sufficiently documented in clinical studies.
Slightly lower blood pressure
High blood pressure can lead to heart attack and stroke. The effects of omega-3 fatty acids on blood pressure can be beneficial. Both systolic blood pressure (blood pressure in your arteries during contraction of your heart muscle) and diastolic blood pressure (blood pressure in your arteries between beats) have decreased as individuals receive higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids.
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email
No Comments