Research shows
that the Omega-3s called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic
acid) contribute to your cardiovascular health in many ways.
Both EPA and DHA help to combat plaque and they help to prevent
blood clots from developing in your arteries. These arterial
plaque deposits and blood clots can block blood flow in your
arteries, leading to strokes, heart attacks and other
cardiovascular conditions.
The American Heart Association
recognizes EPA and DHA as being effective for:
- Risk
reduction of strokes and heart attacks
- Healthy
arteries and lowering of blood pressure
- Prevention
of heart beat abnormalities and arrhythmia
- Reduction in
Sudden Cardiac Death
- Blood
triglyceride reduction
- Prevention
of plaque and hardening of the arteries
- Prevention
of plaque fat rupture
- Good overall
heart health
- Risk
Reduction of Strokes and Heart Attacks
Studies indicate
that EPA and DHA can help to reduce the risk of strokes and
heart attacks by preventing or slowing down the build up of
plaque fat deposits in your arteries. Prevention of these plaque
fat deposits will help to keep your blood flowing normally and
it may reduce your risk of developing clots in your arteries.
There is evidence that EPA and DHA can help to stabilize the
un-stable or dangerous plaques which may form. Also, those who
consume higher levels of EPA and DHA tend to have less severe
heart attacks and much better survival rates and importantly
have a much lower risk of sudden death should they have a heart
attack.
Healthy
Arteries and Lowering of Blood Pressure
Research
indicates that EPA and DHA can help to make blood more
free-flowing, deterring a condition known as thrombosis much in
the same way as aspirin prevents heart attacks. EPA and DHA also
keep your blood vessels relaxed in a process called vasodilation,
which lowers blood pressure. EPA and DHA help to lower the
viscosity of the blood, which reduces the clumping potential of
blood platelets, making it easier for the heart to pump the
blood throughout your body. This benefit is vital to those of
you who have existing heart conditions or partially clogged
arteries by helping to reduce the risk of thrombotic strokes
(strokes due to blood clots). Approximately 85% of all strokes
are thrombotic and research suggests that Omega-3s can help to
play an essential role in stroke prevention. Studies show that
lowering blood viscosity, blood vessel dilation, lowering of
blood pressure, and prevention of blood clots (clumping) are all
benefits of EPA and DHA, which help to reduce the risk of
strokes and heart attacks.
Risk Reduction of Heartbeat
Abnormalities
By deterring
plaque fat buildup in your arteries, and by improving overall
cardiac functioning, research suggests that EPA and DHA can help
to reduce the risk of heartbeat abnormalities by making it
easier for your heart to pump your blood in a regular and
efficient manner. Studies indicate that EPA and DHA have been
tied to the prevention of heartbeat abnormalities such as:
-
Arrhythmia
-
Ventricular
tachycardia
-
Fibrillation
Triglyceride Lowering
Elevated
triglyceride is a commonly found risk factor for cardiovascular
disease. Research indicates that EPA and DHA can help to reduce
the amount of triglycerides in your bloodstream. This occurs by
reducing fat (triglyceride) synthesis in the liver and by
enhancing triglyceride clearance from the circulation.
Risk Reduction
of Plaque Buildup
and Hardening of the Arteries
Studies show
that EPA and DHA help to prevent plaque from depositing on the
walls of your arteries by keeping your arteries from hardening
(atherosclerosis). Also, the risk of blood platelets adhering to
the vessel surface to initiate a thrombus (plug) is reduced when
EPA and DHA are consumed. Clean arteries equate to good heart
health!
Risk Reduction of Plaque Fat Rupture
If you have
plaque deposits in your arteries, research suggests that EPA and
DHA may play a role in stabilizing them so that they are less
likely to rupture. Often, it is the by-products of these plaque
deposit ruptures, rather than the deposits themselves, which
clog your arteries enough to cause strokes and heart attacks. By
stabilizing plaque deposits, and by preventing them from
rupturing, EPA and DHA may reduce your risk of strokes and heart
attacks.
Good Overall Heart Health
Research
indicates that EPA and DHA have many heart health benefits
including decreasing the risk of heart attacks and other
coronary disorders. EPA and DHA may help to reduce the risk of
these conditions by affecting your blood flow and your blood
chemistry, thereby reducing plaque fat buildups in your
arteries. It is never too late to start thinking about your
heart’s health, whether your heart is healthy or diseased. Many
Nutritionists, Health Professionals, and Health Organizations
worldwide, including the American Heart Association, agree that
Omega-3s are simply good for your overall heart health.
Now that you have learned about the benefits of Omega-3s, you
can start to incorporate them into your diet and you will be
well on your way to a healthier heart and a healthier life!
MEG-3™ as Your Source of EPA and DHA
A healthy heart is vital to your overall health, and EPA and DHA
are vital to your heart. MEG-3™ can supply you with the EPA and
DHA that you require in a convenient and worry-free manner.
Available as a dietary supplement, and as a healthy food
ingredient, MEG-3™ provides you with Omega-3 in its purest form.
Along with a well balanced diet, you can ensure that you and
your family are getting adequate amounts of EPA and DHA by
choosing MEG-3™ supplements or by choosing food products that
contain MEG-3™.
References
Harris WS. “Fish
oil supplementation: evidence for health benefits.” Cleveland
Clinic Journal of Medicine 71, no., 3 (March 2004): 208-10, 212,
215-8 passim.
Kris-Etherton PM, Harris WS, Appel LJ; American Heart
Association. Nutrition Committee. “Fish consumption, fish oil,
omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease.” Circulation
107, no. 21 (November 2002): 2747-57.
von Schacky C. “Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease.”
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 7, no.,
2 (March 2004): 131-6
Harper CR, Jacobson TA. “The fats of life: the role of omega-3
fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease.”
Archives of Internal Medicine 161, no., 18 (October 2001):
2185-92.
Rosenberg IH. “Fish -- food to calm the heart.” New England
Journal of Medicine 346, no., 15 (April 2002): 1102-3.
Albert CM, Campos H, Stampfer MJ, Ridker PM, Manson JE, Willett
WC, Ma J. “Blood levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids and the
risk of sudden death.” New England Journal of Medicine 346, no.,
15 (April 2002): 1113-8.
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