A pithy review of omega-3 fatty acids
 Dr. Eric Chan and Dr. Leslie Cho from the Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio waste no words in an excellent review.
Here are some highlights
Benefits
- High dietary intake of omega-3 is strongly linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease in epidemiologic studies.
Response to treatment
- Fish oil supplements lower triglyceride levels.
- Starting at a triglyceride level of 816 mg/dL, 4 grams/day of omega-3 lowers triglyceride levels to 488 mg/dL, a 45% reduction.
- Normal: less than 150 mg/dL
- Borderline-high: 150–199 mg/dL
- High: 200–499 mg/dL
- Very high: 500 mg/dL
- In addition, HDL (good) cholesterol levels increased 9%.
- Omega-3 may also prevent arrhythmias, reduce inflammation, inhibit platelet aggregation, and lower blood pressure, all of which should reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Safety
- Generally, omega-3 fatty acids are well tolerated.
- Adverse effects are limited to gastrointestinal complaints (discomfort, upset stomach) and a fishy odor.
- Common ways to prevent these effects are to freeze the capsules or take them at bedtime or with meals.
- My recommendation is that if you experience a fishy odor, buy another brand of omega-3.
- The risk of bleeding with omega-3 is minimal.
The bottom line?
According to the American Heart Association…
- High dietary intake of omega-3 is strongly linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease in epidemiologic studies.
Response to treatment
- Fish oil supplements lower triglyceride levels.
- Starting at a triglyceride level of 816 mg/dL, 4 grams/day of omega-3 lowers triglyceride levels to 488 mg/dL, a 45% reduction.
- In addition, HDL (good) cholesterol levels increased by 9%.
- They may also prevent arrhythmias, reduce inflammation (although they have minimal impact on C-reactive protein), inhibit platelet aggregation, and lower blood pressure, all of which should reduce cardiovascular risk.
Safety
- Generally, omega-3 fatty acids are well tolerated.
- Adverse effects are limited to gastrointestinal complaints (discomfort, upset stomach) and a fishy odor.
- Common ways to prevent these effects are to freeze the capsules or take them at bedtime or with meals.
- My recommendation is that if you experience a fishy odor, buy another brand of omega-3.
- The risk of bleeding with omega-3 is minimal.
The bottom line?
- Healthy people should consume fish (preferably oily fish) at least twice a week.
- People with known coronary artery disease should take 1 gram of omega-3 per day
4/13/09 21:17 JR