Omega-3,6,9 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Health
Support for the efficacy of fish oil and omega-3,6,9 fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease is well documented in the medical literature. The research covers a range of cardiovascular problems including arrhythmias, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and hypertension.
Researchers Angerer and von Schacky (2000), conducted a review of current randomized trials in humans and concluded that fish oils should be included in secondary prevention programs for coronary heart disease. Marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the researchers report, appear to (a) slow the development of atherosclerosis, (b) prevent fatal arrhythmias, and (c) decrease mortality following a heart attack.
Similarly, researchers at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the United States report that docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two omega fatty acids and primary components of fish oil, provide significant protection against the development coronary heart disease. In their study of over 6000 middle aged men, Simon and his colleagues determined that men with a higher blood level of DHA and DPA had a 50% lower risk of developing heart disease than did men with lower levels.
Heart Attack
Simopoulos (1997), following his study of omega-3,6,9 fatty acid consumption following one episode of heart attack, observed that the rate of cardiac death was significantly decreased in a population of cardiovascular patients.
Atherosclerosis
Another recent study investigated the efficacy of fish oil supplementation in the treatment of atherosclerosis. After three months of supplementation with fish oil, twice as many patients ingesting marine omega-3 fatty acids showed improvements in their atherosclerotic deposits compared to the placebo group. Moreover, after two years of continued supplementation, three patients in the placebo group suffered a non-fatal heart attack during two year period compared to one in the fish oil group. The researchers surmised that fish oil supplementation may be beneficial for atherosclerosis patients and is safe and well-tolerated.
High Blood Pressure
Appel, Miller, Seidler, and Whelton (1994) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore conducted a meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials on the efficacy of fish oil in reducing blood pressure. They concluded that diet supplementation with fish oil at a high dose (more than three grams per day) can result in clinically significant reductions in blood pressure in individuals with untreated hypertension. However, the researchers suggest that further research is needed to demonstrate long-term efficacy of supplementation as well as effectiveness of lower doses.
GEROMATRIX:
Our Complete EFA has the highest quality deep sea fish oil available which contains the full spectrum for fish oil inculding DHA, EPA, GLA, LA, ALA and Oleic Acid along with borage oil and flax seed oil. Our formulas gives you the maximum protection against heart disease.
Also read Essentail Fats in Your Diet.
See Geromatrix's Complete Essential Fatty Acids.
References
- Appel, LJ, Miller ER, Seidler, AJ, Whelton, PK. (1993). Does supplementation of diet with fish oil reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 153(12),p. 1420-38.
- Harris WS, Isley WL., 2001. Clinical trial evidence for the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, vol. 3(2), p. 174-9.
- Angerer P, von Schacky C., 2000. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the cardiovascular system. Current Opinions in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Care, 3(6),439-45.
- Simon, Joel A., et al. Serum fatty acids and the risk of coronary heart disease. American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 142(5), p. 469-76
- Simopoulos, AP (1997). Omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention-management of cardiovascular disease. Canadian Journal of Physiological Pharmacology, Vol. 75(3), p.
- von Schacky, Clemens, et al. (1999). The effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis. Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 130, April 6, 1999, p. 554-62.
