Cardiovascular Disease And The Role Of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids - DHA supplements are certainly something you need to consider, if you're interested in avoiding
cardiovascular disease. DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid, and it's one of the many
omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Omega-3's are essential to good heath. Although DHA is the most prevalent fatty acid in the brain, it's also seen to play a large role in avoiding
cardiovascular disease. Not only DHA plays this role, but all
omega-3 fatty acids are important when it concerns your heart health.
One diet that is high in
omega-3's is the Mediterranean diet. Individuals who follow this diet are apt to have high HDL, or "good" cholesterol. One reason is the Mediterranean diet has a fair amount of fish in it. This is further held up by the fact that Eskimos also are apt to have high HDL cholesterol. They also eat a lot of cold water, fatty fish. These fish tend to be very high in
omega-3 fatty acids. You might not want to eat halibut or tuna every day, but you can take fish oil supplements. Numerous studies have shown that these supplements reduce triglyceride levels. In addition to fish, walnuts are recognized to be high in omega-3 fatty acids.
There have been several studies which have shown that diets high in
omega-3's or even fish-oil supplements, can lower high blood pressure. You don't want to self-medicate, however. High Blood Pressure is a serious condition. Make sure you get your doctor's approval before you do anything.
It's been shown time and time again that diets low in saturated fats and high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (this includes
omega-3 efas) help prevent heart disease. There is a lot of clinial evidence that fish-oil, which is high in EPA and DHA (two types of
omega-3 essential fatty acids) help reduce instances of heart problems and cardiac event. In addition, fish oil has been shown to have a very good positive effect on lowering triglycerides, risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and abnormal heart rhythms. Fish-oil has also been proven to help mitigate and treat hardening of the arteries through slowing the development of plaque and blood clots.
In other words, fish oil, which contains considerable amounts of EPA and DHA, is really healthy for you. Since with DHA you get a double whammy effect of helping your heart and brain, you probably want to consider DHA supplements in what you eat. As in all things medical, talk to your doctor first.