Arteries provide oxygenated blood for all of your body. If one of your arteries becomes blocked, or occluded, blood flow to tissues can be disrupted, causing the tissue to be damaged or die. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that can help prevent artery occlusion, but they can't open a totally blocked artery.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential fatty acid, which means that your body cannot manufacture them. Because they are an essential part of your physiology, you must get them from dietary sources, such as fatty fish, walnuts, vegetable oils and green leafy vegetables. Omega-3 fatty acids help your brain function properly, regulate blood clotting and influence the levels of other fats in your body.
Artery Occlusion
Because your arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to tissues, an occluded artery can cause serious health problems. Occlusion of arteries typically develops due to a combination of atherosclerosis and blood clotting. If the arteries that supply blood to your heart or brain are blocked, you will have a heart attack or a stroke. Even partial blockage of an artery ca result in diminished blood flow.
Omega-3 and Occlusions
Omega-3 fatty acids are better at preventing arterial occlusions than reversing them. Omega-3s lower the levels of lipids in the blood that promote atherosclerosis, and increasing your intake of these fats can help slow or partially reverse atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Another effect of omega-3 fats is that they interfere with some of the early steps of blood clotting, so they can also prevent the formation of artery-blocking blood clots.
Considerations
A completely occluded artery is a medical emergency that must be treated to prevent serious organ damage. Blocked arteries can be treated surgically or with medications that dissolve blood clots. Do not use omega-3 fatty acid supplements as a substitute for your doctor's recommendations, and talk to your doctor before taking supplements with omega-3 fatty acids, because they can interact with some medications. Omega-3 fatty acids may also cause you to bruise or bleed more easily, so don't take them in high doses.
Member Comments