Protect against heart disease with omega-3 fatty acids

Researchers looked at the effectiveness of fish oil in reducing the risk of heart attacks in patients with heart disease and in preventing heart disease in healthy people. They found that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil were effective at helping to prevent plaque build up in the arteries in healthy people.

But the greatest effect was for patients with heart disease, where they found there was a 30 percent decrease in fatalities among those consuming fish oil.

Based on these findings, they recommend that healthy individuals consume 500mg of omega-3 fatty acids a day, while those with a history of heart disease should aim for 800 to 1000mg daily.

For healthy individuals, eating two meals a week that contain fish like salmon, trout, or tuna is one way to meet this recommendation. Fish oil supplements are another way to get omega-3’s into your diet. Consult with your doctor before beginning a supplementation regimen.

Source: Researchers from the Ochsner Medical Center Publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.