Omega-3 fatty acids are taken for a variety of reasons, including by people who have an increased risk of having a heart attack. Omega-3 fatty acids can come from fish oil supplements and are also found in the prescription medication Lovaza. There are some distinct advantages to be gained from taking a prescription omega-3 supplement, such as Lovaza.
What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat that can be naturally found in many different foods, including green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, vegetable oils and some fish, including herring, sardines and lake trout. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for a variety of functions in your body, including maintaining the health of your nervous system and regulating the levels of different lipids, or fats, in your blood. Omega-3 fatty acids also can be used to reduce inflammation.
Uses For Lovaza and Omega-3 Supplements
Because omega-3 fatty acids can help control the levels of different kinds of fats in your blood, Lovaza is prescribed for people who have high levels of a type of fat known as triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements that come in 1,000 mg tablets can also be used to treat high triglyceride levels, and they are sometimes taken for other purposes, such as reducing inflammation and treating psychiatric disorders.
Composition
Every 1g of Lovaza contains approxmately 465 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 375 mg of docosahexaenoic acid. The actual composition of 1,000 mg omega-3 fatty acids tablets may vary from one brand to the next, but most will contain a similar amount of the omega-3 fatty acids found in Lovaza. Most people who take omega-3 fatty acids take between 2,000 and 4,000 mg per day, and the standard dose of Lovaza is 4 g per day.
Safety
Both Lovaza and other supplements with omega-3 fatty acids are generally safe, but you should talk to your doctor before taking omega-3 fatty acids. Large doses of omega-3 fatty acids can make it difficult for your blood to clot properly, resulting in abnormal bleeding or bruising. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can also interact with some medications, such as statins, so it is important to tell your doctor about any and all supplements you take. These risks are the same reagrdless if you take 1,000 mg omega-3 fatty acid capsules or Lovaza.
Member Comments