Omega-3 to improve blood vessel health
Omega-3 Fish Oil Improves Vascular Health
Supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids can improve blood vessel function and promote vascular health.
This is revealed by a meta-analysis of 16 studies conducted by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the Peking Union Medical College. The research results were published in the journal Atherosclerosis. The study indicates that daily Omega-3 supplementation (with an average duration of 56 days) contributes to improved arterial vasodilation. The doses of fatty acids used ranged from 0.45 to 4.5 grams per day. In conclusion, the study showed that:
- medium-low doses produce a dose-dependent effect;
- higher doses were associated with greater benefits for arterial vasodilation.
However, these benefits were observed only in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases or those presenting certain risk factors. No particular improvements were recorded in healthy subjects.
Omega-3 for Heart Health
This research adds another important piece to the scientific understanding of the benefits of Omega-3 for the heart. Intake of these nutrients through diet or supplementation has been linked to a lower incidence of:
- high blood lipid levels;
- thrombosis;
- high blood pressure.
The Meta-Analysis
Conducted by the joint team, this meta-analysis combines data from 16 studies and indicates that Omega-3 supplementation can significantly improve vascular functions. The analysis of medical data from 901 participants established improvements in 2.3% of patients.
