Omega-3 fatty acids are the most commonly used supplement in the United States that is not a vitamin or mineral, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains. Omega-3 fatty acids have a variety of effects on the body and can be used to reduce inflammation and prevent cardiovascular problems. Consuming these fats can cause measurements of one form of cholesterol, known as low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, to rise, though this may not represent a true increase in LDL levels.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Identification
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that are termed "essential" fats, because the body cannot make them. Consequently, all omega-3 fatty acids must come from the diet or supplements, such as flaxseed oil and fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for keeping the brain working properly and also play an important role in development and growth, the University of Maryland Medical Center states. There are three main omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linoleic acid, which can be found in flaxseed oil, and eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which are found in fatty fish and fish oil.
Effects on Cardiovascular Disease
Omega-3 fatty acids supplements are often used by people who wish to lower their risk of developing atherosclerosis, a stroke and heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids can lower your blood pressure, the Mayo Clinic notes, which reduces the strain on your heart. They also make it harder for platelets to stick together and form clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Finally, omega-3 fatty acids reduce your triglyceride levels and increase your levels of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, which is also known as the good cholesterol.
Omega-3 and LDL
One concern that some have when taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements is that these fats can appear to increase levels of LDL cholesterol, which is the "bad" form of cholesterol. However, LDL cholesterol is not measured directly from blood tests; instead it is calculated by looking at the levels of other lipids in the blood. According to HealthCentral, decreases in triglycerides and increases in HDL cholesterol levels can cause the calculated amount of LDL cholesterol to rise, even if actual LDL cholesterol in the blood remains the same.
Considerations
Regardless of their effects on LDL cholesterol, fish oil and other omega-3 supplements are likely effective at preventing heart disease and heart attacks, MedlinePlus explains. Some believe that omega-3 fatty acids are more effective than some prescription medications, such as statins. Omega-3 fatty acids may also be able to impair cholesterol absorption in the intestines, further lowering cholesterol levels in the blood.
Member Comments