Does Omega-3 Fish Oil Make High Cholesterol Worse?

Omega-3 fish oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, also known as EPA and DHA. Omega-3 has gotten the reputation as the supplement to take to reduce your risk of heart disease and this is for good reason. Not only can omega-3 fatty acids positively affect your HDL and VLDL cholesterol levels, they can also influence other factors that affect your heart. It may be so influential that the American Heart Association recommends eating fish twice per week to take in these important fatty acids. Before taking any new supplements or starting any new diet, always consult with your doctor first.

High Cholesterol

When your cholesterol is measured, you receive feedback on three different types of cholesterol in your body. These are total, LDL and HDL cholesterol. Total cholesterol is the total amount of every cholesterol you have, which is best below 200 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol is known as the "bad" cholesterol because it contributes to heart disease. This is best under 100 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol because it reduces your risk of heart disease, and should be kept above 60 mg/dL, optimally.

Omega-3 and Cholesterol

Omega-3 interacts differently with the different types of cholesterol. According to a report in the "American Family Physician" in 2004, a regular dose of omega-3 fish oil can work to raise your levels of HDL cholesterol by 1 to 3 percent. However, trends between LDL and omega-3 also tend to see a small increase. Omega-3 may increase your LDL by 5 to 10 percent.

Omega-3 and Triglycerides

Possibly the most beneficial effect that omega-3 has on your blood lipids is its influence on triglycerides. Your triglycerides are fats carried around in your bloodstream by VLDL cholesterol. VLDL brings triglycerides to fat beds for storage. Omega-3 fish oil reduces the amount of VLDL in your bloodstream by inhibiting your body's production. In fact, a regular dose of omega-3 can reduce your triglyceride levels by 25 to 30 percent, according to the "American Family Physician" report.

Considerations

When deciding if omega-3 fish oil is right for you, consider the pros and cons. It's true that omega-3 may slightly raise your LDL, but it does increase your HDL and lowers your VLDL. It is also a safe alternative to a conventional cholesterol medication. For an effect on your cholesterol levels, take 2 to 4g per day. You can also consider adding more fish to your diet.