What Are Epa And Dha
First, lets back up and quickly review some basics on essential fatty acids, fish oil, and EPA/DHA. The essential fatty acids EPA and DHA are the most important omega-3 fatty acids for health. EPA and DHA are considered essential fatty acids because humans must get them from food or supplementation. They are designated omega-3 fatty acids because of their chemical structure .
EPA and DHA are found directly in oily fish like salmon and mackerel. They can also be made in the body by converting ALA , which is an essential omega-3 fat found in vegetable and seed oils like flax, to EPA and DHA. Since converting ALA to EPA and DHA is a rather inefficient process, getting these incredibly important fats from either eating plenty of oily fish or taking EPA/DHA supplements is recommended.
May Help Lower Cholesterol Levels
Whether you get it from your diet or a supplement, omega-3 fatty acids may help move the meter when it comes to your total cholesterol.
In a December 2017 study published in Nutrition & Diabetes, study authors examined the lipid profiles of patients with hyperlipidemia another name for high cholesterol who either took a fish oil supplement or consumed fish twice a week for eight weeks.
The result? All of the participants total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced significantly at the end of the period.
How Do Epa And Dha Benefit Heart Health
There is now strong evidence, according to Harvard researchers and many others, that EPA and DHA reduce the risk of cardiac death. Studies have found that EPA and DHA can lower your chances of suffering from a heart-related problem, like a heart attack, by 18%.
EPA and DHA lower your risk of getting heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke in part by improving your lipids, although they do not lower LDL naturally. Instead, their primary effect on lipids is to reduce triglycerides naturally. The triglyceride-lowering effect of EPA and DHA is now indisputable, based on many large, long-term, well-conducted studies.
Despite their excellent ability to reduce triglycerides naturally, EPA and DHA actually increase LDL cholesterol, concerning some doctors and medical researchers. All types of EPA/DHA seem to have this LDL-increasing effect, including prescription-based fish oil , over-the-counter fish oil supplements, and EPA/DHA supplements made from algae instead of fish.
Read Also: Can Keto Cause High Cholesterol
Fish Oil For Dogs: Benefits And Side Effects
We know that its beneficial to humans, but what about fish oil for dogs?
Fish oil has become the most popular supplement among people a long time ago, mostly due to its robust scientific profile supporting major health benefits for humans.
Today, fish oil supplements are expanding into the animal and pets market, particularly those for dogs. Majority of companies claim that fish oil can help with canine arthritis.
Weve already talked about the side effects and benefits of fish for dogs, but what about supplements of fish oil for dogs? Do they work? Are there any side effects? Lets take a quick look.
Can I Use Vitamins To Lower My Cholesterol
The only vitamin that really lowers;cholesterol is;red yeast rice;at 1200 mg twice a day, according to Dr.;Cho.
The problem with red yeast rice is that it contains the same chemical compound as lovastatin, which means you would need to have your liver function monitored if you take it, she says. The Food and Drug Administration;hasnt approved;this supplement for medical use, so talk to your doctor before considering it.
All in all, you can lower your;cholesterol naturally. Diet should be the cornerstone of therapy and pills are a supplement, not a substitute, for a good diet. Always talk to your doctor before taking any new supplements.
You May Like: Is Calamari Good For You
Where To Get Your Omega 3
If youre still considering taking the supplements, first try getting your omega-3 from foods in which they naturally occur. The American Heart Health Association recommends two servings of fish a week as part of a healthy diet, to maintain heart health. Salmon, mackerel, and light tuna are great options. If youre not a fan of fish, try flax seed, flax seed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, soy, and canola oil. These foods also contain other essential vitamins and minerals which support absorption and general functioning. This is much better nutritional value than the capsules One or two servings of these foods a day should cover your nutritional need.
References
Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults have their blood cholesterol levels checked every four to six years. More frequent testing may be recommended if you have a family history of heart disease, are overweight or have type 2 diabetes.
Healthy blood cholesterol levels according to the CDC are:
-
Total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL
-
LDL cholesterol of less than 100 mg/dL
-
HDL cholesterol levels greater than 40
mg/dL
There are many lifestyle changes you can make to prevent high cholesterol. Obesity raises LDL cholesterol levels in the body. A doctor can help you determine a healthy weight and develop a diet and fitness plan to reach your goals. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also increase the risk of developing high cholesterol.
Men tend to have higher cholesterol levels than women and a woman’s chances for developing high cholesterol increases when she is over the age of 55. Other risk factors for high cholesterol, according to the CDC include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Familial hypercholesterolemia, a rare medical condition
- Family history of high cholesterol
Read Also: Are Egg Beaters Low In Cholesterol
Guide For Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
The complete Pritikin Program for lowering cholesterol with little or no medication. Includes recipes and 5-day meal plan. The Ultimate Guide for Lowering LDL Cholesterol Naturally
If your LDL levels are still too high after trying these 6 nutrition-based approaches, talk to your doctor about cholesterol-lowering medications like statins, but give these 6 tips your best shot, encourages Dr. Danine Fruge, MD, ABFP, Medical Director at the Pritikin Longevity Center. The right eating plan, like Pritikin, can be powerfully beneficial and there are no adverse side effects.
A Cardiologist’s Top 10 Things To Know About Fish Oil Supplements
There’s more to consider about taking this common product than you may know.
Who knew that the decision to take a simple supplement like fish oil could be so complicated?
Omega-3 fatty acids may help decrease inflammation and decrease the risk of developing heart disease.; At first, taking a supplement seems to be;an easy decision. After all, why eat fish if you can get the active ingredients in a pill?; Manufacturers tout the benefits relentlessly, but sometimes push so hard it seems as if they are trying to sell snake oil. ;Contrast that with studies suggesting that taking fish oil is worthless, or may cause harm.; What does the evidence suggest?; Here are some important things to consider:
Despite many studies done over the last few years, there is no absolute proof that taking omega-3 fatty acids will decrease your risk of having a heart attack. Studies are in progress to determine whether;adding omega-3 fatty acids to a medical regimen including statins will lower your risk of a heart attack if you already have coronary artery disease.
DHA and EPA are the active ingredients in omega-3 fatty acids and have been shown in multiple studies to lower triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a kind of fat, very different from cholesterol, that;can cause irritation of the lining of blood vessels, especially when accompanied by low HDL cholesterol.
Don’t Miss: Is Shrimp Bad For Your Cholesterol
Does Fish Oil Raise Cholesterol
Katie had an LDL of 87 mg/dl, HDL of 48 mg/dl, triglycerides of 201 mg/dl. By conventional standards, not too bad.
Reading about the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, Katie added fish oil. With the preparation she bought, 4000 mg per day provided 1200 mg the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Three months later her LDL was 118 mg/dl, HDL 54 mg/dl, triglycerides 92 mg/dl.
In other words, LDL cholesterol increased by 31 mg. What happened?
Several studies have, indeed, confirmed that fish oil raises LDL cholesterol, usually by 5-10 mg/dl. Occasionally, it may be as much as 20 or more milligrams, as in Katies case, enough for some people to be scared away from continuing this supplement.
Unfortunately, many physicians often assume that its the cholesterol content of fish oil capsules, or some vague, undesirable effect of fish oil. Its nothing of the kind. And, if you were to rely on basic cholesterol values, it does indeed appear to be the case.
But its not.
Another factor: Conventional LDL cholesterol is a calculated value, not measured. The calculation for LDL is thrown off-sometimes considerably-by any reduction in HDL or rise in triglycerides from average values. In Katies case, the rise in HDL from 48 to 54 mg/dl along with the reduction in triglycerides from 201 to 92 mg/dl mean that calculated LDL has become more accurate and rises towards the true measured value. The actual rise in true LDL cholesterol may be small to none.
Types Of Healthy Fat In Oils
Incorporating a variety of different oils in your diet can help to provide an array of different micronutrients.
Monounsaturated fats contain a single unsaturated carbon bond in the molecule. A good source of vitamin E, monounsaturated fats are found only in plants. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;recommends;MUFAs make up 15% to 20% of total daily calories.
Polyunsaturated fats have more than one unsaturated carbon bond in the molecule and are found in plants and fish such as salmon. PUFAs also contain vitamin E and high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acidsnutrients essential for brain function and cell growth.
Some oils are high in omega-3 fatty acidshealthy fats that help to reduce inflammation and prevent the formation of arterial plaque. Avocado, canola, flaxseed, olive, peanut, sunflower, and walnut oils are all good sources of omega-3.
You May Like: Are Baked Potatoes High In Cholesterol
Modify Your Eating Habits
A great way to lower your cholesterol naturally is to start by replacing unhealthy fats with healthy fats .
This means becoming a food label reader, says Dr. Cho. Its important to limit your saturated fat intake.;There should be no more than 2 grams of fat per serving and it should account for less than 7% of your daily calorie intake.;
Saturated fats are most often found in palm oil and coconut oil, along with animal products like beef, pork, chicken skin, hot dogs and regular cheese.
American Heart Association News Stories
American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association.
Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News.
Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Associations Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.
HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.
Also Check: Can Keto Cause High Cholesterol
Fish Oil Lowers Cholesterol Naturally And Safely Here’s Proof
For more evidence on the extraordinary benefits of fish oil in regards to reducing cholesterol;and triglyceride;levels – and for the prevention of heart disease – take a look at some of these exciting quotes from various well respected natural health authors
“The omega-3 fatty acid-rich oils have been shown in hundreds of studies to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, including many studies in diabetics. The omega-3 fatty acids are being recommended to treat or prevent not only high cholesterol levels, but also high blood pressure, other cardiovascular diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, allergies and inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, and many others.”
– Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 by Michael T. Murray, ND
“The ability of omega-3 fatty acids to significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death by 45 percent was demonstrated in the GISSI Prevention study, in which more than eleven thousand patients participated. A recent review of the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of hypertension found that omega-3s protect against stroke and reaffirmed that the cardioprotective benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are related to their ability to improve blood pressure, vascular function, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and cardiac function.”
– What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Diabetes: An Innovative Program to Prevent, Treat, and Beat This Controllable Disease by Steven V. Joyal
Myth #: Your Cholesterol Should Be As Low As Possible
As with almost everything in health and wellness, there’s a balance that needs to be maintained.; There are very few extremes that are going to serve you well.
People with too-low levels of cholesterol may have increased risk of death from other non-heart-related issues, like certain types of cancers, as well as suicide.
We commonly hear that a high level of LDL in blood increases risk of plaque formation inside arteries – raising risk of a heart attack. Conversely, the lower the LDL level, the lower the risk of heart attack.
This is a simplistic and incomplete picture.
Its not just the total amount of LDL cholesterol that should be of concern, but also the type and size of the LDL particle. Research indicates that those whose LDL particles;are predominantly small and dense, have a significantly greater risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas the large and fluffy type of LDL may actually be protective.
Its a similar story with HDL cholesterol. Commonly perceived as the good type, HDL cholesterol acts like a scavenger, and removes harmful LDL cholesterol, by transporting it to the liver for processing. But were finding out, that the size of the HDL particle is of significance as well. This research indicates that women who had larger HDL particles had a higher risk of atherosclerosis, versus those who had smaller HDL particles.
Size really matters when it comes to cholesterol.
You May Like: Is Bone Marrow High In Cholesterol
Dietary Cholesterol And Heart Disease
Dietary cholesterol is only found in animal-based products. This includes meat and seafood, egg yolks and dairy products, including milk. It was once believed that eating foods high in cholesterol would raise the cholesterol levels in your body an increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. However, studies have not shown any link between dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, notes Dr. Ghada Soliman in her review published in the June 2018 edition of Nutrients.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommended limiting cholesterol to 300 milligrams per day. However, due to the lack of evidence that dietary cholesterol has negative health effects, this recommendation has been removed from the USDA’s current 2015 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
There is a correlation between saturated fats and cardiovascular disease and saturated fats have been shown to increase your LDL cholesterol levels, advises Colorado State University Extension. Since many foods that are high in saturated fats are also high in cholesterol, it is a good idea to limit your intake of these foods. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends getting less than 10 percent of your calories from saturated fats.
Read more: The Truth About How Your Diet Affects Your Cholesterol
Eat More Plant Sources Of Protein
Excellent plant proteins include beans all beans, like lentils, red beans, pinto beans, and soybeans. Rather than raising blood cholesterol levels, as animal sources of protein do, beans actually help lower cholesterol.
Beans also help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, and may even lower cancer risk.
Don’t Miss: What Causes High Cholesterol In Vegetarians
How To Use Fish Oil For Lowering Cholesterol
If you want to use fish oil for lowering cholesterol, you will find that it will be fairly simple to do so.
The recommended amount of fish oil that you should take to help control cholesterol and prevent heart disease is between 1,000 and 2,000 milligrams per day.
If you take more, you could experience serious side effects, so make sure to stick with the recommended dosage.
Once you suck down the fish oil, how does it work?
The Omega 3 fatty acids in the fish oil help to thin out your blood, thus preventing clots from forming .
These fatty acids also help to scrape all the plaque off the walls of your arteries, and it sends the plaque out the digestive system. Hypertension is also controlled by the fish oil, and lower blood pressure means less heart problems. The fish oil will keep your arteries nice and flexible, which will prevent them from cracking.
Does Fish Oil Lower Cholesterol & How Much
Theres strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels. There also appears to be a slight improvement in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, although an increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol also was observed.
Also Check: How Much Cholesterol In Mussels
How Will My Veterinarian Treat My Pets Hyperlipidemia
If your veterinarian identifies an underlying cause for the hyperlipidemia, this cause will be treated . Your pet may receive medications for Cushings disease or hypothyroidism, insulin injections for diabetes, or treatment for pancreatitis.
If no underlying cause is found, your pet will need to start eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Prescription foods are typically used, although you may be able to work with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a home-cooked diet if you would prefer. Within 1-2 months, this diet change should lead to a reduction in hyperlipidemia.
“If no underlying cause is found, your pet will need to start eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet.”
In addition to diet changes, medications and supplements may also be recommended. Omega-3 fatty acids can help resolve hyperlipidemia, when combined with a low-fat diet. Human drugs that are used to decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels in pets include gemfibrozil , bezafibrate , fenofibrate , and statins, such as atorvastatin and lovastatin . These drugs have not been tested extensively in dogs and cats however, and therefore dietary management is preferred when possible.