One of the most well known benefits of fish oil supplementation is in preventing and helping to treat heart disease. Fish oil is beneficial for the heart due to its high level of omega 3 essential fatty acids. These high levels of omega 3 fatty acids help to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, as well as helping to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.
Studies have shown that those diets which are high in fish oil, such as those of the Eskimo's and the Mediterranean diet, have corresponding low bad cholesterol and higher good cholesterol rates. Fish oil supplements have also been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and triglyceride rates. Since high bad cholesterol rates are a risk factor in heart disease by reducing this you are in return decreasing the risk of getting heart disease.
Some fish oils are also able to reduce blood pressure, which is another risk factor connected with heart disease. The choice of fish oil here is important though as fish high in mercury can actually do more damage but if fish oil low in mercury is chosen the omega 3 fatty acids in the oil will help to reduce blood pressure levels.
Fish oil also helps in preventing the build up of plaque and clots which are responsible for heart disease and further increases the effects of blood thinning medication such as aspirin which although dangerous in some circumstances can be beneficial for patients at risk of heart disease.
The University of Maryland Medical Centre says the following on their website, "Studies of heart attack survivors have found that daily omega 3 fatty acid supplements dramatically reduce the risk of death, subsequent heart attacks, and stroke. Similarly people who eat an ALA-rich diet are less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack." Fish oil is a good source of EPA and DHA omega 3 fatty acids and as such may help reduce the risk of death and subsequent heart attacks in these patients.
In conclusion then, many tests have been done to test the effects on fish oil for the heart and research has shown that fish oil benefits heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure levels as well as preventing the build up of plaque and clots. If you have had heart disease you would do well to supplement your diet with fish oil and will in turn decrease your risk of further heart attacks or a fatal heart attack.
Glossary:
Triglyceride: levels of bad fats in the blood