Omega-3 fatty acids have heart-healthy benefits for healthy people and those with heart disease or at risk for heart disease. The fatty acids decrease triglycerides, fats in the blood related to cholesterol, and slow the growth rate of plaque in the arteries formed by excess cholesterol that leads to heart disease, the American Heart Association explains.
Triglyceride Checks
Doctors measure triglyceride levels of patients when checking for cholesterol counts. High triglyceride levels can lead to heart disease and may occur with untreated diabetes. Healthy patients should strive to have low triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, with high levels of HDL cholesterol, which helps flush excess cholesterol from the body.
Sources
Fish that contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, herring, halibut, cod, salmon, albacore tuna, sardines and lake trout. Flaxseed, walnuts, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard seeds, kale, collard greens and Brussels sprouts have good amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, according to the George Mateljan Foundation.
Supplements
Fish oil supplements also provide omega-3 fatty acid benefits, especially for people unable to get enough of fatty acids through diet. The supplements are usually made from fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, MedlinePlus says. Fish oil supplements also contain beneficial vitamins, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and D. Minerals often include calcium and iron. The FDA approved a fish oil supplement, omega-3-acid ethyl esters, to lower triglycerides.
Buildup
Triglyceride fats build up in the blood to cause heart disease along with LDL cholesterol, which forms plaque on the inner walls of arteries to decrease blood flow. Fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids lowers triglyceride levels and in the process helps lower the risks of heart attack, stroke and abnormal heart rhythms for people who already have suffered from a heart attack, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC.
Benefits
Though fish oil may not be as effective as medication to lower triglycerides, it provides significant decreases in the blood fats. Researchers have found that fish oil can reduce triglycerides by 20 to 50 percent, MedlinePlus points out. Inuit Eskimos from the Canadian Arctic and Greenland have diets high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish. They tend to have decreased triglycerides along with higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol levels, the UMMC notes. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish, particularly fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, at least two times a week--baked or grilled, but not fried.
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