Your body relies on cholesterol for many vital functions and biochemical processes, such as normal hormone production and cell membrane maintenance. However, having an excessively high amount of cholesterol can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke and heart failure. This is where fish oil comes in. Fish oil from supplements and natural dietary sources is an effective means of treating high cholesterol.
What is LDL Cholesterol?
When measuring cholesterol levels, tests usually consider three factors: low-density lipoproteins, or LDL; high-density lipoproteins, or HDL; and triglycerides. A high amount of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, leads to a build-up of plaque deposits along the walls of your blood vessels. This may lead to eventual heart failure or other health problems as the plaque obstruction worsens. Generally, it is in your interest to lower both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol, reports the American Heart Association.
Fish Oil and LDL
Fish in general is an excellent source of low-fat protein. Fish oil also contains a substance called omega-3 fatty acids, shown to benefit heart health and reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. However, although consuming fish oil is good for lowering triglycerides and raising HDL cholesterol, it usually has no discernible effect on LDL levels. In some cases, patients who took large amounts of fish oil supplements actually increased their amounts of LDL slightly, Medline Plus Supplements notes. Therefore, taking fish oil is not a reliable way to lower LDL.
Dietary Recommendations
Even though fish oil may slightly increase LDL levels, the benefits of consuming fish outweigh this relatively minor downside. The American Heart Association recommends eating a 3.5-ounce serving of fish, especially fatty fish, at least twice a week. Coronary artery disease patients, who may not be able to get enough omega-3 through food alone, may need to take a prescribed fish oil supplement. Flounder, sole, tuna, salmon, cod, catfish and clams are all good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Precautions
Some types of fish may have toxin contamination, particularly from mercury. Fish species near the end of the food chain, such as king mackerel, swordfish, tilefish and shark, tend to have the greatest concentrations of mercury in their tissues. Fish oil supplements, on the other hand, are typically safe to consume. However, it is inadvisable to consume more than 3 grams per day, since this can prevent blood from clotting and may increase the chance for bleeding, Medline Plus Supplements explains. These supplements may also interact with other types of medication, such as blood thinning agents. Consult with your doctor before taking any form of dietary supplement.
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