Low Levels of DHA linked to cardiovascular disease

by Dr. Jonny · 7 comments

Do you really need any more proof that the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are protective of the heart?

You do? Then I’ve got just the study for you.

Scientists recently examined 25 published studies (1) that investigated the risk for cardiovascular disease, and looked at the relationship between the omega-3 fat DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and risk. The results were dramatic. Continue reading

Across the board, subjects who had low levels of DHA were significantly more likely to have coronary heart disease events.

DHA, along with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are the two omega-3 fats found in cold-water fish like salmon. Both are extremely important for human health, but have slightly different (but complementary) effects. A baby’s brain is about 60% fat by weight, most of it DHA, (one reason it’s so important for pregnant women to supplement with omega-3’s).

In my opinion, there are few supplements on earth as protective as fish oil, with its rich concentration of the omega-3’s EPA and DHA. (According to Andrew Stoll, MD, author of “The Omega-3 Connection”, EPA is the omega-3 most responsible for improving mood.) I personally take two tablespoons every day, mixing it in either a green drink or ordinary grapefruit juice.

1) “Tissue n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and risk for coronary heart disease events,” Harris WS, Poston WC, et al, Atherosclerosis, 2007; 193(1): 1-10. (Address: Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, United States. E-mail: bill...@usd.edu)

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

George September 7, 2010 at 11:25 am

It’s very true I only take fish, vegies and fruits. No red meat nor chickens and I have reached very high level of exercises as to heart rate reverse and resting hear rate standard.
So I can confirm that fish with vegies and fruits and of course lots of nuts too with olive oil constitute the best healthy diet ever.
Haven’t seen a doctor for the last 15 years for nothing without anykind of pain I also do Yoga daily apart from the tred mill exercise

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pojp58 September 7, 2010 at 11:49 am

I was wondering , how long does it take to start getting the benefits or fish oil or any supplement for that matter?

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Dr. Jonny September 7, 2010 at 1:24 pm

i think right away. Nutrients are ingested, digested, assimilated and then go right to the places where they start to work. But “long-term” benefits are just that- they are cumulative and over time. So for example, if you’re a smoker who eats seven meals at McDonald’s a day, and you change your lifestyle, you won’t “see” a difference the first day you stop smoking and start eating fish and vegetables- but be sure that you will eventually!

warmly
jb

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GP September 7, 2010 at 1:53 pm

I had always heard that EPA was associated with heart health and that DHA was associated with the brain. Which should we be getting more of, EPA or DHA, and in what ratio?

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