I have a long history of stressing the importance of nutrients to good health, dating back 25 years—even in the days when I was active as a cardiovascular surgeon. Omega-3 is a nutrient I single out for its broad effectiveness, its benefits reported in virtually thousands of research articles.

The story of Omega-3 started 40 years ago when epidemiologic studies evaluated the health of Greenland Eskimos and found an interesting paradox. The Eskimos, who eat a diet high in fat—mainly consisting of whale blubber—had a remarkably low incidence of heart attacks. The paradox was solved when an analysis revealed that their diet was high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Since that time, there has been an avalanche of scientific studies establishing the myriad benefits of Omega-3.

Fish, the natural source of Omega-3, has always been considered a healthy food, and the American Heart Association recommends a diet that includes three to four servings of fish per week. But—and I am convinced of this by personal experience—the high mercury content found in many deep water fish, as well as the high PCB, count makes eating excessive amounts of fish risky. Therefore, I strongly recommend that Omega-3 fatty acids be taken in supplements.

AHA Recommends Supplements
Years ago when I was attending a conference of the American Heart Association, I was pleased to hear the speakers recommending Omega-3 for a healthy diet; and, surprisingly, they added that if Omega -3 were not sufficiently available in fish at meals, then there should be Omega-3 supplementation. This was the first time I had ever heard a medical society that is generally very conservative recommend supplementation. Times have changed, and today vitamin supplements, specifically vitamin B to lower homocysteine levels, are recommended by the AHA. Not only does the American Heart Association recommend Omega-3 supplements, but the American Diabetes Association has followed suit, advising supplementation intake of Omega-3.

Indicative of the interest in supplementation, the August 21, 2006 issue of the American journal Cardiology included a special 40-page supplement titled "Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease Reduction." A recent article in the British journal Lancet reported a 20% cardiovascular risk reduction in individuals taking statin drugs who were getting Omega-3 in a high fish diet or in supplements. The four benefits these researchers found were reduction in triglycerides, reduction in thrombogenicity, reduced inflammation, and stabilization of cardiac rhythm.

In my practice, I have used Omega-3 supplementation together with Coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and carnitine for cardiac rhythm problems with great success. To that very point, the New England Journal of Medicine reported recently that high Omega-3 intake protects the heart's electrophysiologic system and prevents irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. This beneficial effect of Omega-3 is most likely secondary to its anti-inflammatory effect and also to its cell membrane stabilization effect because the Omega-3 fatty acids incorporate themselves into cell membranes.

Benefits for the Heart
Additional studies have reported that Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death. And their effect in reducing high triglycerides is one of the reasons why the American Diabetes Association recommends their supplementation. Diabetics and also persons with visceral adiposity (fat stomach) and/or metabolic syndrome are generally found to have hypertriglyceridemia, which is itself an independent risk factor for heart disease and sudden thrombosis. Omega-3 anti-inflammatory, cardiac regulatory, blood pressure regulatory, and blood vessel wall enhancement benefits are also of great importance for the management of diabetes.

Here is a summary list of the cardiovascular benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids:

1. Prevention of deadly heart arrhythmias and reduced incidence of sudden cardiac death.

2. Decreased cardiovascular disease-provoking inflammation.

3. Relief of endothelial dysfunction.

4. Improved blood vessel elasticity.

5. Reduced blood pressure.

6. Reduced triglycerides.

7. Reduced postprandial hyperlipidemia, which is a significant contributing cause of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack after dinner), and chronic increase in cardiovascular deterioration.

8. Stabilization of arteriosclerotic plaque.

9. Reduced thrombogenicity or blood clotting.

10. Improvement in HDL metabolism.

These multiple cardiac benefits are all documented by scientific studies and are the reasons I recommend Omega-3 fish oils to all of my patients for cardiovascular disease prevention and for other therapeutic considerations.

And More...
Besides cardiovascular, there are many other health benefits of Omega-3 supplementation. New research indicates that fish oils can reduce the progression of early Alzheimer's disease. Studies also show that Omega-3 enhances mood, behavior, cognition, and counters depression. Other beneficial effects include enhanced immunity and improvement in bone and joint problems, especially arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions. I use Omega-3 fatty acid supplements as a principal therapy for patients with arthritis.

Skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis respond to Omega-3 supplementation. Gastrointestinal function is markedly improved, especially problems such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Ocular benefits include a reduced progression of macular degeneration.

Of special importance for my practice is new research reported by the Endocrine Society that shows Omega-3 supplementation aids in weight management, not only through its anti-inflammatory effect but also by promoting fat oxidation. Other recent research reports improved wound healing and decreased prostate cancer progression with Omega-3 fish oil supplements. The list goes on. It is truly a super nutrient.

About Dr. Vagnini
Dr. Vagnini is ELDR's chief medical advisor. He is the coauthor, along with ELDR Editor-in-Chief Dave Bunnell, of the book, Count Down Your Age (McGraw-Hill). To learn more about Dr. Vagnini, visit his website »

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posted at 02:49:47 PM