diet - The Health Benefts Of Fish Oils

The Health Benefts Of Fish Oils

by Marcus Ryan

The good oils, the omega 3 fatty acids have made it into the newspapers and medical research journals many times over the past couple of decades.

Why has this been the case?

This is because omega 3 fish oils have been shown to have some very impressive effects on prevention of heart disease, as well as being linked to lower incidences of depression and dementia in both population studies, and in the case of depression, randomised controlled trials as well.

And the product is natural as well.

So let's have a look at what these benefits of omega 3's are. In this article, we'll have a look at the health effects of omega 3s on the heart.

Benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in survivors of heart attacks (myocardial infarction)

Firstly, lets have a look at the DART study (Diet And Reinfarction Trial).

This trial showed that patients who survived a myocardial infarction, who followed advice and took oily fish, containing approximately 500 to 800 mg of omega 3 fatty acids each day, had a 29% decrease in total risk of death. The particular survivors who took fish oil capsules containing 450 mg of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) each day, had a 62% fall in cardiac related death rates, and a 56% reduction in risk of death.

Then there was a large Italian study of 11,324 myocardial infarction survivors, called the GISSI prevention trial.

The GISSI trial found that myocardial infarction survivors who had one capsule of fish oil each day, containing 1g of fish oil, which is equal to 850mg of omega 3 fatty acids, had a 30% decrease in cardiac mortality, and 45% decrease in risk of sudden

death. These benefits were seen within just four months of the study.

Then there was the Lyon study which looked at 600 myocardial infarction patients.

This study found that those who took the dietary advice of consuming a Mediterranean type diet, with an adequate fruit and vegetables, and in particular an adequate intake of non-marine sources of omega 3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, had a 70% decrease in their risk of heart related death at 5 years, in contrast to those patients who had no such dietary advice.

Now let's have a look at fish oil effects in prevention of heart disease in the first place...

Benefits of omega 3 in preventing heart disease and sudden death in healthy individuals

Firstly, there was a study looking at the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in healthy male doctors. This study was known as the Physician's Health Study.

This study found that those with the highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood streams, had a risk of sudden death that was only 1/5 of the risk of sudden death found in the group with the lowest omega 3 fatty acid levels. That is, their relative risk was 19%. Those with the second highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids had a relative risk of less than 1/3, with a relative risk of 28%.

Secondly, there was the Chicago Physician's Health Study Western Electric Study which studied a group of 1822 men over a period of 30 years.

This study found that those who ate more than 35 g of fish per day had 38% less risk of dying from heart disease, and a 44% reduction in risk of heart attacks, when compared to those who had no fish intake.

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These are just sample of the various studies on the health effects of omega 3 fatty acids on cardiac health.

It is very sobering to realise that about 50% of heart attacks have no warning.

The benefits as shown in the studies above, relate to preventing heart attacks in those who have already had one, as well as reducing the risk of myocardial infarction and sudden death in healthy individuals.

The these essential fatty acids have been linked to reductions in risk of dementia and depression, in the treatment of depressed patients, and improvement in IQ of children.

There are even studies on the effect of fish oils on reducing levels of aggression in young adults.

So now you know what the benefits of omega 3 fish oils are.

If you already have a medical condition, then check with your doctor before taking any supplements, in case you have a contraindication to taking fish oil.

So keep learning about the benefits of natural nutrients, including these omega 3 fish oils, and how they benefit our bodies and minds.

About the Author :

Want to learn more about omega 3 fatty acids? Marcus Ryan helps you to discover the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil, including a clear understand of the results of medical studies and research. Visit http://www.omega3oils.info

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

The Health Benefts Of Fish Oils

by Marcus Ryan

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