Omega-3 Fatty Acids and the Heart: Are There Benefits?
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and the Heart: Are There Benefits?
Since childhood, we have known that fish oil is very healthy. Numerous studies have shown that eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and are the main components of fish oil, can have many positive effects on the human body. Regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids prevents heart and vascular diseases, improves memory, vision, positively affects mental activity, slows aging. Has been investigating whether omega-3 supplementation with PNLCs can be used as primary and secondary prevention of heart disease.
The benefits of omega-3 PUFA for the heart: scientists' opinion
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids first came to the attention of experts in the 1970s, when studies showed that people in Greenland and Japan suffered from heart disease much less often than people on other continents. Scientists suspected that such statistics are associated with the peculiarities of nutrition, or rather - the consumption of a large number of sea fish. So began the study of omega-3 PNLCs contained in fish oil.
As a result of numerous studies, scientists have come to the conclusion that omega-3 PNLC somehow improve the condition of the vascular wall, reduce blood pressure, regulate the level of lipids in the blood, have an anti-sclerotic effect. For example, animal studies have shown that omega-3 PNLCs can stop the growth of atherosclerotic plaques. And during the follow-up observations of the group of people who were diagnosed with atherosclerosis of vessels, it turned out that if you follow a special diet enriched with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the process of development of atherosclerosis really stops. Studies on people with hypertension have also yielded positive results. Taking omega-3 PNLC at a dose of 3 grams per day resulted in a persistent decrease in blood pressure.
It was decided to check the new data on people at risk. Greek scientists have chosen smokers for this purpose. As we know, smoking is one of the significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. The observation lasted one month. Participants received 4 grams of omega-3 PNLC daily. The results of a thorough cardiovascular diagnosis were encouraging, and the smokers' vascular wall became more elastic. Scientists explained this effect by anti-inflammatory and anti-sclerotic properties of omega-3 PNLC. Of course, this does not mean that you can continue to smoke and eat oily fish to compensate for the harm. All these studies have demonstrated only one of the proposed actions of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids - improving the condition of vascular walls.
Effect of taking omega-3 PUFA after a heart attack
The scientists wondered whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could help patients who had already experienced heart attacks and other heart disorders. Cardiologists in San Diego added omega-3 PNLCs (4 g/day) to one group of heart attack patients for half a year, and another group (control) took placebo, which was corn oil. The study found that people who received high doses of omega-3 PNLCs had 39% better heart muscle (myocardium) function than controls after a heart attack. Scientists hypothesized that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibited the development of fibrosis, both at the site of infarction and at remote sites, and also reduced inflammatory processes.
So, at the moment, there are only observational results and theories. But the mechanism of action of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the heart is not fully understood.
In the meantime, the American Association of Cardiologists recommends eating fish such as sardine, trout, salmon, tuna at least twice a week to prevent recurrent heart attacks.
Heart and vessel health in your hands
Studies of the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on human health have been conducted for a long time. One of the most recent data, which was published in Journal, proved that acids reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. The most important thing is to take them in sufficient quantity. A dose of less than 1 g a day is not sufficient to produce a therapeutic effect, which is
anti-inflammatory effects;
Reducing the level of bad cholesterol
Reducing the likelihood of clotting
Reducing the risk of progression of eye disease
Relief of neurodegenerative and depressive disorders
prevention of heart and vascular diseases, lung diseases, diabetes;
improving skin and hair condition.
