January 9, 2012 Add Fish Oil To Lower Triglycerides
Using Omega-3 fatty acids to lower triglycerides naturally is easy to do as you can find these in some foods and supplements like flaxseed oil, krill oil, fish oil supplements and other vegetable and nut oils. In this article, we are going to examine the use of fish oil supplements to help lower triglycerides levels.
Fish Oil and Its Benefits
Rock-solid evidence from multiple research studies support the many health benefits of fish oil supplements. Taken in recommended amounts, fish oil can
• Lower triglycerides
• Slow the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque, a.k.a. ‘hardening of the arteries’
• Lower blood pressure slightly
If you have any cardiovascular disease, fish oil can benefit you by lowering your risk of:
• Heart attacks
• Stroke
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Death
A word of caution: you should take only the recommended dose of fish oil- no more. More than the recommended amount of fish oil can increase your risk for bleeding or having a stroke, plus other harmful effects.
Fish oil is rapidly gaining popularity in its use for a large variety of diagnosed conditions. With a reputation of being ‘brain food’, fish oil supplements help those with Alzheimer’s, ADHD, depression, psychosis and other mental disorders.
Another benefit of fish oil is for the eyes. Supplements containing fish oil may be prescribed for glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and age-related macular degeneration.
It is beyond the scope of this article to delve into the many conditions that are being treated with fish oil supplements.
The Mechanism Behind Fish Oil Supplements
The benefit of fish oil supplements is found within its Omega-3 fatty acids. We need to supplement our diet with the Omega-3 fatty acids because our body can’t manufacture them. Fish oil contains two types of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).These Omega-3 fatty acids reduce swelling and pain. One of the reasons that fish oil supplements work to benefit cardiovascular disease is because the Omega-3s prevent the blood from clotting too easily.
Regarding triglycerides, which are actually three types of fatty acids, the Omega 3 fatty acids lower levels of high triglycerides in three ways:
1. Decreasing the liver’s manufacturing of VLDL, which is a protein rich with triglycerides
2. Increasing the elimination of triglycerides from the blood stream
3. Accelerating the conversion of triglycerides to energy
How Much Fish Oil Should You Take
If you have high triglycerides, the amount of fish oil recommended is one to four grams per day. You need to discuss the use of fish oil with your doctor and, together with your doctor, determine the best dose in fish oil supplements for you.
Factors that will influence the amount of fish oil you need to take include any other drugs you may be taking. In fact, there is a prescribed fish oil supplement available called Lovaza. If you are on this drug, you must talk with your doctor before adding any other fish oil supplement to your triglyceride-lowering regime.
For more information on fish oil and high triglycerides, click here.
Tags: fish oil, fish oil supplements, omega 3 supplements, reduce triglycerides naturally, triglcyerides
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