LDL cholesterol, often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol, forms plaque on the arteries to interfere with blood flow. This can lead to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which causes heart disease. HDL, or "good" cholesterol, helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream by bringing it to the liver, which removes it as waste. Omega-3 fatty acids, which can only be obtained through food or supplements, may lower LDL cholesterol levels and improve healthy HDL levels.
Types
You can get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids through fish, including albacore tuna, salmon, mackerel, lake trout, herring, halibut and other seafood, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some plants and nut oils also contain omega-3 fatty acids, including walnuts and walnut oil. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings per week of fish, particularly fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Improved Levels
People eating a Mediterranean diet, which includes high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, often have high HDL cholesterol levels, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. The Inuit Eskimos from Canada and Greenland have increased HDL levels along with decreased triglyceride fats. They eat a diet high in omega-3 fish. Walnuts have been found to lower total cholesterol and triglycerides in people who have increased cholesterol levels.
Acids
Particular acids found in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce heart disease risks, high cholesterol and triglycerides to prevent heart disease. The acids, called eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are found prominently in fish oil. People who have already had heart attacks and consume omega-3 fatty acids may have a lower risk of death, another heart attack, stroke and abnormal heart rhythms. Omega-3 fatty acids help protect against the plaque buildup from excess LDL cholesterol and blood clots that may develop from LDL. The blood clots can lead to death from heart attack or stroke.
Blood Flow
The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may help expand blood vessels to lower blood pressure and may be particularly helpful to people with high blood pressure, MedlinePlus says. The action of omega-3 rich fish oil in the blood may slow down and reverse the progress of atherosclerosis to improve the coronary arteries that feed blood to the heart. The increase in HDL, helped by omega-3 fatty acids, may also improve the function of blood.
Supplements
Fish oil supplements may help people who cannot get enough omega-3 fatty acids through diet. Many fish oil supplements are made from mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon and other omega-3 rich fish. A fish oil supplement, omega-3-acid ethyl esters, has been approved by the FDA to help lower triglyceride levels.
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