Smoking Harm: Omega-3s Reduce Effects on Arteries
Smoking: Less Arterial Damage Thanks to Fish Oil
Taking 2 grams per day of Omega-3 for 4 weeks helps reduce smoking-related damage to arteries and lowers cardiovascular risk. This is suggested by a study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). The authors state that 2 grams per day of these fatty acids over 4 weeks can provide the following health benefits:
- significant benefits at the level of the blood vessel walls;
- reduction of cardiovascular risk.
Blood Vessels: Omega-3 Friends of the Circulatory System
In industrialized countries, cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death. Several studies show that 30% of heart and arterial dysfunctions could be prevented by following a proper diet. The role of Omega-3 in this phenomenon was discovered in the early 1970s. At that time, it was observed that the Inuit populations of Greenland, who consume large amounts of Omega-3-rich fish, had among the lowest incidences of cardiovascular disease worldwide. The beneficial effect of these molecules is based on their ability to:
- reduce excess triglycerides;
- increase levels of so-called “good” cholesterol (or HDL).
Omega-3 reduce platelet aggregation and promote the dilation of blood vessels, processes that help inhibit clotting and reduce risk of thrombosis. A recent study1 also demonstrated that these fatty acids counteract blood vessel thickening, typical of individuals born with low birth weight.
Effects of Smoking on Artery Walls
Smoking harms the lungs, but not only. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of toxic substances that, through the bloodstream, reach and “impregnate” various organs. These substances also affect arteries. Nicotine and carbon monoxide accelerate the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, lesions that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Omega-3 to Protect the Heart from Smoking
A research group led by Gerasimos Siasos from the Medical School of the University of Athens (Greece), in the study presented in Dubai, demonstrated that taking Omega-3 even for short periods reduces the arterial stiffness of smokers. Moreover, treatment with these fatty acids also counteracts the damage to the elastic properties of blood vessels caused by smoking. According to Siasos, these results suggest that Omega-3 inhibit the negative effect of smoking on artery function, one of the known cardiovascular risk factors. However, experts remind that the only safe way to protect health from the harmful effects of smoking is to quit smoking. These results encourage both smokers and non-smokers to follow a healthy and balanced diet, including foods rich in Omega-3 such as salmon, mackerel, and walnuts. For those at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, the recommendation is to eat fish rich in these fatty acids at least twice a week.
Source
1. Skilton MR, Ayer JG, Harmer JA, Webb K, Leeder SR, Marks GB, Celermajer DS, “Impaired Fetal Growth and Arterial Wall Thickening: A Randomized Trial of Omega-3 Supplementation”, Pediatrics. 2012 Feb 20. [Epub ahead of print]
