Just imagine if everyone used fish oil for heart problems. Would we be healthier? A variety of studies say that we would.
In the 1930s, a group of Danish researchers studied the lifestyles and diets of Greenland Eskimos. To no ones surprise it was discovered that they ate a lot of cold water fatty fish. To every ones surprise, they discovered that heart disease was almost unknown in this culture. They attributed this to several causes.
1] Eskimos got a lot of exercise living off the land and sea. The environment in which they survived was essentially pollution free. In addition, there was very little sugar and not much salt in their diets.
2] The scientists also concluded that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA played an essential role in their robust health.
Numerous other studies over the years have expanded on these original findings to the point now the American Heart Association and the Food and Drug Administration has concluded that the omega-3 is effective in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases
What is the fish oil heart connection?
This is the only oil that contains an abundance of DHA and EPA, the 2 fatty acids the Danish team discovered in the Eskimo diets. It also supplies these directly to the body, which other omega sources such as flax seed, do not. This can be important, especially as we age, because our bodies are simply not as efficient at processing even simple nutrients. Complex molecules like DHA and EPA are even more of a challenge. Simpler is better.
OK, but what do they do?
Bear with me a moment. There are hormone like substances called prostaglandins that are extremely important in cell regulation. There are two types usually referred to as “good” and “bad.” [I'm not kidding.] The “good” prostaglandin reduces inflammation, blood pressure and the production of cholesterol. An excess of the “bad” does just the opposite which can cause all sorts of heart problems. Most of the good ones are made from our friends, the omega-3s.
What this all means is that when you are using fish oil for heart problems, you are getting a remarkable blood thinner. It is so powerful that I should add this caveat; if you are already taking a blood thinner you need to speak with your doctor about adding any more.
One more thing, if you decide to use a supplement make sure it has these qualities:
1] It is molecularly distilled which is a process of removing contaminants like mercury that get ingested. It is almost impossible to find non-contaminated fish anymore.
2 It uses a fish source naturally high in EPA and DHA. For instance, supplements made from farm raised salmon contain very little of either.
About the Author
For the past 30 years, Milton Haslam has been a strong proponent of natural health in all its forms. Milton researches and educates on choosing nutritional supplements and enjoys introducing people to the best natural products he can find. Visit Milton’s website today at http://www.omega-3-guide.com/ to discover which supplements he recommends after extensive comparisons.