Research study in Health Day reports that Omega-3 fatty acids, along with blood thinning medications will help prevent the formation of future clots in heart disease patients even after the implantation of stents. According to the study, patients who received a dosage of 1,000 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per day had improved clot properties, including less production of the clot forming thrombin and decreased clot formation.
Researchers are still trying to determine what it is about Omega-3 fatty acids that break down clots and prevents them from forming in people who are at the highest risk of new formations.
Dr. Kirk Garratt, clinical director of interventional cardiovascular research at the Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute of New York, who was not involved in the study and contacted by Health Day, suggests “that oxidative stress tilts the body toward formation of clots and makes it hard to tear them down. That would point to the antioxidant properties of fish oil getting the credit.”
Regardless of the physiology behind the progress, it’s important not to lose sight of the message here:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids should be an essential part of your diet, because of its heart healthy characteristics.
The American Heart Association (AHA) states that Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to all people, from completely healthy people ranging to the complete opposite end of the spectrum mentioned in the study above, and Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease arrhythmias and triglycerides, reduce high blood pressure, and slow down the growth of plague in your arteries.
With all those characteristics, it’s no surprise that the AHA recommends eating at least two servings of fish packed with Omega-3 fatty acids a week (which equals up to eight ounces per week) like salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, and lake trout.
If you’re not a fan of the hooked creature, then you may be able to get the same benefits from eating walnuts, brussel sprouts, kale, or spinach. You can even reap the benefits by cooking with a heaping tablespoon of soybean oil or canola oil. Whatever you choose, make sure you are getting it into your diet every day—even if that means taking a fish oil supplement.
Some people, such as those with heart conditions, need more than the average person, so it is important and highly recommended that you see a doctor before adding a supplement to your diet. A naturopathic physician can help you regulate your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids, whether you ingest it by the hook, the garden, and/or the pill. Plus, a naturopathic physician can suggest the best supplements on the market, so you are guaranteed to get only the best quality fish oil supplements.
Get an individualized plan from someone who knows the most about the natural processes of the body and who knows the right natural elements that promote a whole health connection by consulting with a naturopathic physician.
According to Dr. Frank Sacks in his Ask the Expert column for Harvard School of Public Health, he states, “New studies are identifying [Omega-3 fatty acids] potential benefits for a wide range of conditions including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.”
There is still a lot to learn about this powerful polyunsaturated fatty acid, but we do know that it’s a great resource for the body and should be taken into serious consideration when planning meals. So get hooked on heart health by adding Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet today!
