There is enough evidence concerning the prevention of heart disease and fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, for the US Food and Drug Administration to allow a verifiable health claim for the supplement.
It reads something like this: Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent cardiovascular disease problems.
It might not seem like much, but that the FDA has approved the claim is impressive. Regardless of how much evidence a supplement or food manufacturer can present, the FDA normally rejects applications for verified health claims. They say that the claims can be misleading and makes the foods sound like drugs.
But, when it comes to heart disease and fish oil, there is just too much evidence to ignore. Can a supplement help you prevent cardiovascular disease problems? That depends largely on your diet.
Some researchers indicate that there is no benefit for people that consume a great deal of fish or have a balanced intake of omega-6s to omega-3s in their diet. It is just that most people don’t fall into either of those two categories. It has been estimated that in the average modern diet, the omega-6 to 3 ratios are between 10:1 and 30:1. Ideally it would be 4:1 or lower.
If you want to prevent cardiovascular disease problems, omega-6s are bad. They contribute to:
It reads something like this: Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent cardiovascular disease problems.
It might not seem like much, but that the FDA has approved the claim is impressive. Regardless of how much evidence a supplement or food manufacturer can present, the FDA normally rejects applications for verified health claims. They say that the claims can be misleading and makes the foods sound like drugs.
But, when it comes to heart disease and fish oil, there is just too much evidence to ignore. Can a supplement help you prevent cardiovascular disease problems? That depends largely on your diet.
Some researchers indicate that there is no benefit for people that consume a great deal of fish or have a balanced intake of omega-6s to omega-3s in their diet. It is just that most people don’t fall into either of those two categories. It has been estimated that in the average modern diet, the omega-6 to 3 ratios are between 10:1 and 30:1. Ideally it would be 4:1 or lower.
If you want to prevent cardiovascular disease problems, omega-6s are bad. They contribute to:
- Inflammation, which plays a role in atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries
- High triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease
- High LDL (bad) cholesterol problems
Studies concerning heart disease and fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids have shown that supplementation:
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces triglycerides in the bloodstream
- Improves HDL (good) cholesterol levels
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces clotting and thins the blood
Now, it is important to remember that omega-3s can only “help” prevent cardiovascular disease problems. It is also important to reduce your intake of omega-6s.
Easy ways to do that include:
- Switching from corn oil to olive oil (corn oil contains 30 times more omega-3s than 6s…the content of olive oils is better balanced)
- Avoiding sunflower and peanut oils (they contain no omega-3s, only 6s)
- Eat wild Pacific or Alaskan salmon three times a week, instead of another meat
The studies concerning heart disease and fish oil have also indicated that the supplement may help prevent subsequent heart attacks in people that have already suffered from one. The effect is similar to that of aspirin, but without the stomach upset. Some doctors recommend both aspirin and fish oils for their patients that have had a heart attack.
If you want to prevent cardiovascular disease problems by increasing your omega-3 intake with a supplement or by eating more fish, it is important to learn about common contaminants like mercury. Some species of fish and some brands of supplements are safer than others.
Some long-term studies concerning the prevention of heart disease and fish oil supplementation are still ongoing. But, we expect that the results will be similar.
If you want to prevent cardiovascular disease problems by increasing your omega-3 intake with a supplement or by eating more fish, it is important to learn about common contaminants like mercury. Some species of fish and some brands of supplements are safer than others.
Some long-term studies concerning the prevention of heart disease and fish oil supplementation are still ongoing. But, we expect that the results will be similar.
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