Study: "Everyone Should Take Omega 3"

"Everyone Should Take Omega 3"

"In a detailed review of research, some going back 30 years, a research team has found that the Omega 3 acids could reduce the chance of patients with heart problems dying. They recommend that healthy people should try to take 500 mg of omega 3 fish oil a day, while those with heart disease or heart failure should aim to include at least 800 to 1,000 mg in their daily diet.

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"This isn't just hype - we now have tremendous and compelling evidence from very large studies, some dating back 20 and 30 years, that demonstrate the protective benefits of omega-3 fish oil in multiple aspects of preventive cardiology," said Dr Carl Lavie, from the Ochsner Medical Centre in New Orleans, who led the review. "The strongest evidence of a cardioprotective effect of omega 3s appears in patients with established cardiovascular disease and following a heart attack - with up to a 30 per cent reduction in cardiovascular-related death. "And we are talking about a very safe and relatively inexpensive therapy," he added.

The Food Standards Agency advises that oily fish like mackerel, tuna and herring are the best source of the "good" fatty acids, although they can also be obtained from diet or from fish oil supplements and some other foods.

Studies have found that the fatty acid can cut the chance the chance of patients with heart problems dying by up to 30 per cent. Scientists believe that the acids work from inside the membranes of cells and may help to improve the heart's electrical activity and blood pressure. However, the body does not produce its own essential fatty acids and they must be obtained from the diet. "There are clear health and heart benefits associated with increasing one's intake of foods that are rich in Omega-3s, including oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout, herring, and oysters" said Dr Lavie. "Patients should talk with their doctors about whether a fish oil supplement is needed to get the right amount and, in turn, benefit from the associated cardiovascular protection." Although they recommend daily intake levels the team also called for more research to determine optimal doses, especially for those at risk of a heart attack and other heart problems. Previous studies have suggested that Omega 3 also has a protective effect against strokes and some forms of cancer."

- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5966847/Everyone-should-take-Omega-3-say-experts.html

The findings were published in the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology." The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 36,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care. More information about the association is available online at www.acc.org .

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