Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids Can Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

There is mounting evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil supplements not only help prevent cardiovascular diseases in healthy individuals, but also reduce the incidence of cardiac events and mortality in patients with existing heart disease. In a large number of studies, prescription fish oil has been shown to improve survival after heart attacks and to reduce fatal heart rhythms.

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Though not all researchers agree, some investigators believe that fish oil may be even more effective in reducing death from heart attacks than a group of commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs called “statins.”

A new study, published in the August 11, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, extensively reviews data from a broad range of studies in tens of thousands of patients and sets forth suggested daily targets for omega-3 consumption.

The American College of Cardiology recently strengthened its position on the medical benefit of fish oil, although some critics say that studies have not defined the magnitude of the effect.

Heart-attack survivors in Europe are routinely prescribed fish oil. This practice is rarely followed in the United States, according to a recent report in the New York Times.

Because prescription fish oil is not licensed to prevent heart disease in the United States, drug companies may not legally promote it for that purpose at conferences, in doctors’ offices, to patients or even on the Internet.

In numerous studies, fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to improve survival after heart attacks and to reduce fatal heart rhythms. In the US, however, heart attack victims are rarely given omega-3 fatty acids, though they are routinely prescribed more expensive and invasive treatments, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and implantable defibrillators.

Dr. Terry Jacobson, a preventive cardiologist at Emory University in Atlanta, told the Times, “Most cardiologists here are not giving omega-3s, even though the data support it—there’s a real disconnect. They have been very slow to incorporate the therapy.”

In a landmark study of fish oil conducted more than a decade ago, Italian researchers gave 11,000 patients 1 gram of prescription fish oil a day after they had suffered a heart attack. After three years, the number of deaths was reduced by 20% and the number of sudden deaths by 40% compared to a control group. By 2004, medical regulatory authorities in almost all European countries, including Spain, France and Britain, had approved prescription fish oil for use in heart attack patients. The American College of Cardiology now advises patients with coronary artery disease to increase their consumption of omega-3 acids to 1 gram a day.

A highly recommended omega-3 rich fish oil product is Krill oil

Krill oil, like fish oil, contains both of the omega-3 fats eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA), but hooked together in a different form. In fish oil these omega-3 fatty acids are found in the triglyceride form whereas in krill oil they are hooked up in a double chain phospholipid structure. (The fats in our own cell walls are in the phospholipid form.) Attached to the EPA leg of the phospholipid is a molecule of astaxanthin, an extremely potent anti-oxidant. The phospholipid structure of the EPA and DHA in krill oil makes them much more absorbable and allows for a much easier entrance into the mitochondria and the cellular nucleus.

Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans eaten by blue whale. The oil extracted from these crustaceans contains important omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, found in fish oils. Krill oil also has a high amount of a potent antioxidant called astaxanthin along with small amounts of vitamin A and vitamin E, and perhaps small amounts of other beneficial compounds.

In a 12-week study involving 120 men and women ages 25 to 75, Canadian researchers tested the effects of krill oil versus fish oil on elevated blood lipid levels and found that it outperformed fish oil in reducing total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels — while, at the same time, increasing amounts of “good” HDL cholesterol. In the study, a dose of 1 to 1.5 grams of Neptune krill oil a day was significantly more successful at lowering LDL and triglyceride levels than a dose of fish oil three times greater (3 grams). Krill oil at higher doses (3 grams) also lowered blood triglycerides, while fish oil did not. The researchers theorize that it is the unique molecular structure of krill oil that gives it its potent effects.

Vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids

The most common sources of omega-3s are fish or fish oils. But for vegetarians, people who dislike fish oil, have a fish allergy or are concerned over high levels of industrial pollutants and heavy metals sometimes present in fish oils, vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids are healthy alternatives.

A highly recommended source of vegetarian omega3 fatty acids is Perilla seed oil.

Perilla oil appears to be the most inexpensive and best-tolerated source of these valuable compounds. It delivers all of the benefits of omega-3 EFAs and in some cases appears to be even more powerful than fish or flaxseed oil. Most importantly, it’s free of the digestive side effects that many people suffer with the traditional sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Perilla oil, is extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids. With a minimum of 50% omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 Perilla Oil is a vegetarian alternative to fish oils and and to flax seed oil.

Unfortunately, both fish-oil and flaxseed-oil supplements can have digestive side effects, ranging from an unpleasant taste to noxious burping, nausea, and diarrhea.

Perilla oil, is showing greater health benefits without gastrointestinal side effects. Perilla oil doesn’t give you the stomach and intestinal distress that sometimes goes with other oils high in omega-3.

Recent research suggests that perilla oil inhibits abnormal blood clotting, alleviates chronic inflammation, prevents certain types of arrhythmia, maintains cardiac cell energy output and preserves youthful cell membrane structure. It has even been shown to lengthen survival time of lab animals by 10 to 15 percent, compared with safflower oil, which is low in omega-3 fatty acids.

Perilla oil comes from the beefsteak plant and is a cousin of mint. Perilla oil is obtained by pressing the seeds of perilla, which contain 35 to 45 percent oil. In parts of Asia, perilla oil is used as an edible oil that is valued more for its medicinal benefit than its flavor.

In the early 20th century, it was popular as an ornamental plant. Its seed oil has been used in varnish, paint, linoleum, lacquer, and ink, but don’t worry — it has also been used for cooking in Korean kitchens for generations. Fresh perilla leaves, called “shiso,” are used as garnish in Japanese dishes and enjoyed for their delicate flavor and fragrance. The plant has also been used in the Orient for years as a medicinal herb.

Researchers have also found that perilla oil may protect against heart attacks and ischemic strokes by slowing down the action of Platelet Activating Factor (which is also the way perilla oil protects against allergies).

Suggested use

A daily intake of six 1,000 mg capsules provides 3.3 gm of essential Omega-3 oil, alpha-linolenic acid. A simple capsule once a day will have massive benefits to your health and longevity. Way easier than eating 4 servings of ocean going fish every day. No fishy after-taste either.

Because dietary fiber can absorb both good and bad fatty acids, it is desirable to take Perilla Oil at a different time than fiber. For maximum metabolic regulation in the body, fatty acids require adequate co-dependent nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, vitamins C and B3.

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