Omega-3 fatty acids are among the healthy fats that you need for your body to function optimally. As opposed to popular belief, fats are not entirely bad. When it comes to your heart health, especially, consuming the right kinds of fat can actually protect the heart and keep you free from cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids are among these healthy fats. Here is a detailed understanding of how you can improve and maintain cardiovascular health with regular consumption of omega 3 capsules.
What Are Omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of dietary fat that are unsaturated and extremely beneficial for your body. There are three main types of Omega-3 fatty acids, namely Alpha Linoleic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid. According to the American Heart Association, a diet that includes rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids at least twice a week is likely to keep you free from cardiovascular issues.
These omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish varieties like salmon and in plant sources like flaxseed or chia seeds. If you are unable to include these food sources in your diet, you can also use fish oil capsules to ensure that you consume the necessary amount.
The Relationship Between Heart Health and Your Diet
Atherosclerosis is one of the most common types of heart diseases that is the result of a poor lifestyle and diet. When you consume a diet that is high in fats and cholesterol, the amount of triglycerides in your bloodstream increases significantly. They eventually get deposited on the inner walls of your artery, causing clogging and inflammation. This type of damage is also the result of tobacco consumption, diabetes, high blood pressure and other lifestyle related issues. Maintaining the cholesterol and triglyceride levels as per the recommended amount is very important to prevent any health related disease. ‘
The Benefit of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids have a positive impact on heart health. The main benefits of these fatty acids for the heart are as follows:
- Platelet Activity Increases
There are some small cells in the bloodstream that are called platelets. They are responsible for clotting the blood. Whenever there is any injury, these cells stick to each other to form a clot. However, the activity of these platelets should be balanced well to prevent unhealthy repercussions. Studies show that the platelet activity is maintained at optimal levels and prevented from becoming too elevated.
- Improves artery health
When the cholesterol and triglyceride level in the bloodstream increases, it leads to plaque buildup. This leads to poor artery health. A study conducted on the effects of Omega-3 consumption on plaque build-up showed that using these supplements over 30 days resulted in a significant reduction of plaque progression. This study showed that those who consume lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids experienced a deterioration of artery health.
- Healthy Triglyceride Levels
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is commonly found in the bloodstream. It helps the body produce the energy that it needs to carry out activities each day. When the levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream increase significantly, the result is poor cardiovascular health. A study published by the American Heart Association showed that consuming 4000mg of Omega-3 Fatty acids each day can help you maintain the right level of triglycerides in the bloodstream. This study showed that optimal consumption of these fatty acids, improved the triglyceride levels by almost 30%.
- Keeps the blood pressure regulated
Supplements like HK Vitals Fish Oil by HealthKart help maintain your blood pressure. Whenever you are stressed, the blood vessels expand to improve blood flow. However, those who have poor dilation of the blood vessels are most susceptible to events like a heart attack. Studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids support the dilation of the arteries, thereby maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. In fact, a study conducted over a period of 12 weeks with 2000mg of omega-3 fatty acids administered each day showed that the subjects had improved artery dilation and flexibility.
- Maintains a good resting heart rate
Your resting heart rate should be between 60-100 beats per minute. Studies suggest that increasing the dietary intake of these Omega-3 fatty acids can lower your resting heart rate if it is above 70 bpm consistently. This is an indication of narrowing of the arteries, high blood pressure and other heart-related issues. A higher Omega-3 intake can significantly lower the resting heart rate, keeping you free from unfortunate cardiovascular events.
