Essential fatty acids are vital for physical and mental wellbeing and omega 3 essential fatty acids help to lower the bad cholesterol levels and raise good cholesterol levels. People suffering from high cholesterol would therefore do well to supplement their diet with omega 3 fatty acid supplements such as fish oil or flax seed oil supplements.
Studies have shown that diets high in omega 3 essential fatty acids such as the diets of Inuit Eskimo's and the Mediterranean diet lead to lower bad cholesterol (LDL), lower triglyceride and higher good cholesterol levels in those who follow these diets.
The EPA and DHA essential fatty acids found in fish oils have also been found to lower triglyceride levels. In addition omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce the chances of getting heart disease associated with high cholesterol levels by preventing the build up of plaque and clots. Some research seems to indicate that fish oil supplements lower bad cholesterol levels while others seem to indicate a slightly raised bad cholesterol level but a similar increase in good cholesterol levels to maintain the balance between the good and bad cholesterol.
Diets recommended for those suffering from high cholesterol include the Mediterranean diet. This diet is high in essential fatty acids as it contains a lot of fatty fish and results have shown that this diet is able to raise the good cholesterol levels while reducing bad cholesterol levels.
Walnuts have also been shown to have positive effects on cholesterol and the arteries. Jeanie Lerche Davis in her article "Omega-3 rich plant foods reduce cholesterol, improve arteries" tells of a study done by Sheila West, PhD, "'Cholesterol levels improved after both of the intervention diets, in which saturated fat had been replaced by plant omega-3 fatty acids,' says West in a news release, 'But only the higher dose alpha-linoleic acid diet improved artery function'" (http://www.webmd.com/content/article/86/99158.htm).
People who are suffering from high cholesterol would do well to supplement their diet with lots of fatty fish, flax seed, walnuts as well as fish oil and flax seed oil supplements. The fish oil supplements are the best source of EPA and DHA fatty acids as are the fatty fish but the flax seed provides ALA which can normally be converted by the body into EPA and DHA.
Essential fatty acids such as omega 3 essential fatty acids are known to reduce the bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels while raising the good cholesterol levels. Omega 3 essential fatty acids can be obtained from fatty fish, fish oil supplements and walnuts.
Glossary:
Triglyceride: fat levels in the blood