Improving your lipid levels is important if you are at a high risk of developing heart disease. One kind of lipid, known as triglycerides, can lead to atherosclerosis, which is a condition in which cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries. This can cause them to become clogged, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. One way in which you can improve your lipid profile is to consume omega-3 fatty acids, which can be obtained by adding fish oil liquid to your diet or by consuming tablets that contain these beneficial fats.
Benefits
Omega-3 fatty acids are able to help prevent heart disease by lowering triglyceride levels, MedLinePlus says. High triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease, possibly because they can lower the levels of high-density lipoprotein, which is also known as "good" cholesterol. Although omega-3 fatty acids may not be as effective at lowering triglyceride levels as some prescription medications, such as gemfibrozil, they can lower triglyceride levels by between 20 and 50 percent.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Types
There are three main omega-3 fatty acids that can be used as supplements. Two of them, called docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, or DHA and EPA, are found in fish oil. The third kind, known as alpha-linoleic acid, is found in flaxseed, walnuts and vegetable oils. Although all three kinds of omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial for triglyceride levels and cardiovascular health, DHA and EPA are thought to be more potent, according to Mayo Clinic.
Considerations
One of the reasons people take omega-3 tablets instead of liquid fish oil is for the convenience. The caplets can be carried around more easily and do not have the risk of spilling. Fish oil can also have a very strong taste that is sometimes described as "fishy." As a result, people using liquid fish oil may only want to use it as an additive to foods rather than consuming it on its own.
Expert Insight
Before consuming any supplements, check the label to see what kinds of omega-3 fatty acids it contains as well as the quantity. Omega-3 fatty acid tablets that contain DHA and EPA will be just as effective as liquid fish oil in terms of protecting you against heart disease.
Warning
You should not consume more than 3 g of omega-3 fatty acids per day, the American Heart Association says. This is because high amounts of these fatty acids can interfere with blood clotting, which can result in a tendency to bleed or bruise more easily. This is especially important if you have any digestive conditions, such as a peptic ulcer, chronic acid reflux or inflammatory bowel disease, which can result in internal bleeding.
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