If you are a man over 45 or a woman over 55, you are at increased risk of suffering from hyperlipidemia. However, anyone who does not get enough exercise or follow a healthy balanced diet is at risk. Hyperlipidemia has no direct symptoms, but its effects can be life-threatening. The latest research as of February 2011 shows that fish oil supplements can have a positive effect on hyperlipidemia and can reduce the risks of developing it. To understand why, you need to know something about hyperlipidemia and the active ingredients in fish oil that reduce its effects.
High Blood Fats
In hyperlipidemia, your blood fats, or lipids, remain high long after you've eaten. High blood fats increase hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. As you age, blood fats gradually build up on the insides of the artery walls. The arteries become narrower and harder until high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke become more likely. If you have hyperlipidemia, this develops sooner.
Causes of Hyperlipidemia
Obesity, smoking, lack of exercise and a high-fat diet contribute to high blood lipids. VascularWeb reports that you can develop hyperlipidemia even if you have normal body weight by genetic inheritance. This is a risk when other members of your family already suffer from it.
Treatment for Hyperlipidemia
Medical professionals most often recommend exercise and improvements in diet to reduce blood lipids. For example, walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes every day and reducing dietary fat to around 30 percent of total calories. In more serious cases, combinations of statins, niacin and fibrates are prescribed. In addition, academic research as of February 2011 indicates that fish oil supplements can be very useful in lowering blood lipids.
Fish Oil Supplements
The International Journal of Cardiology reports on research showing that a daily fish oil supplement reduces blood fats. Fish oil supplements contain eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids. A daily dose of 3.25 g significantly reduces blood fats. You should check the label on fish oil supplements to find the level of the omega-3. Some supplements are less useful. For example, cod liver oil contains lower levels of omega-3s, and large amounts carry a risk of excess vitamin A consumption.
Using Supplements
The University of Wisconsin Preventive Cardiology Program suggests that you store fish oil supplements in the refrigerator and take them with a meal. This helps avoid burping. Other side effects, such as loose stools and easy bruising, quickly fade.
Food Sources
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, you can increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating cold-water oily fish. The Guidelines suggest two 4-oz. portions per week of popular American fish such as salmon, anchovies, trout and mackerel. Amounts more than this may result in excess mercury intake and should only be considered when a variety of fish from sources known to be low in pollutants is used. Therefore, if you want to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, you should consider whether the use of fish oil supplements is right for you.
References
- "International Journal of Cardiology"; Benefits of Fish Oil Supplementation in Hyperlipidemia; Guy D. Eslick, et al.; July 2009
- University of Wisconsin Heart and Vascular Care, Preventive Cardiology Program: Fish Oil Supplements
- VascularWeb: Hyperlipidemia
- Department of Health and Human Services: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010
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