Omega-3 is a special, “essential” unsaturated fat — one our bodies can not make but must have to run well.

Omega-3 fats help build the membranes that surround cells in the body and help make hormones that affect blood clotting and inflammation, according to Harvard University doctors.

The fats play very special roles in babies, lining cells and aiding in the development of brain cells and eyes — which is why Omega 3s are in breast milk and being added to some formulas.

Studies show the fish oils are especially good for…the heart, helping prevent deadly rhythm problems and, in high doses, lowering triglycerides — fats circulating in the blood.

“You can take tons and tons of olive oil, and it won’t drop your triglycerides,” said Mays, who is a board-certified lipidologist, or fats expert. “The omega fats really have a medicinal property that is unique.”

The role that the omega-3s plays in heart health is summarized as follows:

• Lowering of blood pressure
• Protecting against sudden cardiac death
• Lowering of blood fat levels (triglycerides)
• Preventing fatal blood clots
• Maintaining blood vessel dilation
• Anti-inflammatory effects such as increasing the plaque stability on artery walls so that they are less likely to rupture
• Improving the vascular endothelial function
• Reducing the risk of hardened arteries
• Improved insulin sensitivity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. The great irony is that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable.

There’s a simple, proven and easy way to reduce the chance of you becoming part of these grim statistics, and that is to increase your intake of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

The research has continued to pour in from countless sources around the world about the amazing benefits of the omega-3′s. In fact, scientists and medical professionals alike now agree that the omega-3 fats can prevent – and even reverse – the deadly effects of cardiovascular disease and stroke (the first and third leading causes of death, respectively).

Studies have shown that the Omega-3s may prevent heart attacks because it slows the buildup of plaque in the arteries. When your arteries are free of plaque, your blood is able to flow normally, avoiding heart complications.

Patients who do take Omega-3s and who have suffered from heart attacks seem to suffer heart attacks that are less severe than those who are not taking an Omega 3 supplement at all.

According to two new studies from Munich, Germany, long term use of Omega 3 fatty acids reduced the risk of death and incidence of hospitalization for heart related illness in heart failure patients. On the other hand, Crestor, a popular cholesterol medication (statin), showed no beneficial effect on the patients studied.

Dr Gianni Tognoni (Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan) presented the Crestor treatment findings at the conference, which ultimately showed no difference in outcomes between those who received the statin and those who did not, even though LDL cholesterol levels were lowered with the drug.

Dr. Tognoni suggests… “although statin therapy lowers concentrations of LDL cholesterol, is well tolerated, and seems reasonably safe, it does not produce meaningful improvements in survival in patients with chronic heart failure.”

The results are contrary to the current push to provide heart failure patients with statin therapy. 

You do not need to become a victim. Omega 3 fatty acids have repeatedly been shown to have a major beneficial effect on heart health. For a longer healthier life, make sure you include fish or Omega 3 fatty acids soft gel capsules into your diet.

To your good heath & longevity.

Ira Marxe
“The Good Health & Wellness Guy”

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