Fish oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, known as omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect you from coronary artery disease, also called CAD or heart disease. Omega-3s reduce inflammation throughout the body to combat damage to your blood vessels, decrease fats in the blood known as triglycerides, lower blood pressure and reduce blood clotting, MayoClinic.com notes.
Omega-3 Fish
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish, particularly fish with omega-3 fatty acids, at least twice a week for heart-healthy benefits. Fish with omega-3s include tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, lake trout, herring and halibut. Fish oil supplements may help with heart protection if you do not or cannot eat enough fish. Manufacturers usually make fish oil supplements from omega-3-rich fish. The body does not produce omega-3s, so getting it through fish or fish oil supplements provides your body with these nutrients.
Triglycerides
Fish oil may work effectively to lower triglycerides, MedlinePlus points out. Triglycerides, fats in the blood, help the body as an energy source. Excess triglycerides, however, have been linked to heart disease. Reducing your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and dietary cholesterol helps maintain healthy triglyceride levels. Consuming fish with omega-3 fatty acids instead of meats with high amounts of saturated fat may reduce the risk of heart disease. A fish oil supplement, omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters, has been approved by the FDA to reduce triglyceride levels. The supplement may reduce levels by as much as 20 percent to 50 percent, according to MedlinePlus.
Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Inuit Eskimos from the Canadian Arctic and Greenland regions consume diets rich in omega-3 fish. They not only have decreased triglycerides, but also tend to have increased levels of healthy HDL cholesterol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. HDL, known as the "good" cholesterol, clears the bloodstream of excess cholesterol and carries it to the liver for disposal.
Heart Disease Reduction
Heart disease patients may lower their risk of dying from heart disease by taking fish oil, MedlinePlus notes. Healthy people may also benefit from fish oil, which may protect them from heart disease. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may expand blood vessels to improve blood pressure levels for patients with high blood pressure, a risk factor in heart disease. Fish oil may slightly reverse or slow down the progress of atherosclerosis, known as hardening of the arteries, an early symptom of heart disease.
Weight Loss
Eating fish may help with weight loss or aid in maintaning a healthy weight, which protects you from heart disease. The fish oil may decrease blood sugar in overweight people with high blood pressure. Excess weight can play a role in heart disease risks. Doctors usually advise patients who need to lose weight because of heart disease risk factors to also exercise and follow a healthy diet.
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