More and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids for our heart health.
This is news not only for heart attack survivors, but also for those who are otherwise healthy and are looking for an effective and natural way to stay healthy, and to reduce their risk of heart attacks and sudden death.
That's right, the benefits are for everyone.
And this is why both the medical world and "normal" people alike, are sitting up and paying attention to these benefits of omega 3 fatty acids.
These essential fatty acids by the way are found mainly in fish oil and flax seed oil.
This article will give you a very good idea of the actual medical research results on omega 3 fatty acids, so that you know clearly what the benefits of these essential fatty acids are.
Let's firstly have a look at the studies on omega 3 oils in preventing further heart attacks, in heart attack survivors.
Benefits of omega 3 in heart attack survivors
Studies have shown that omega 3 fish oils significantly reduce the risk of further heart attacks and death, in survivors of myocardial infarction.
The Diet and Reinfarction Trial, also known as the DART study, was one of the landmark studies.
This study showed that when male survivors of heart attacks consumed oily fish, containing about 500 to 800 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per day, that they had a reduction in total mortality of 29%. The subgroup who chose to take fish oil capsules containing 450 mg of EPA and DHA (omega 3 fatty acids) per day, had a reduction in cardiac related death of 62%, and a reduction in risk of death of 56%.
Then came the GISSI prevention trial, a large Italian study of 11,324 heart attack survivors.
This study showed that heart attack survivors who took a 1g capsule of fish oil every day, which contains 850mg of omega 3 fatty acids, had a 30% reduction in cardiac mortality, and 45% reduction in risk of sudden death. And these benefits were apparent within just four months of the trial.
Then there was also the Lyon study, which looked at 600 myocardial infarction patients.
It was found in this study that those who followed the advice of taking a Mediterranean diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and in particular an adequate intake of vegetarian sources of omega 3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), reduced their risk of cardiovascular related death by 70% at 5 years, compared to the group who had no such advice.
Now let's have a look at fish oil effects in prevention of heart disease in the first place...
Benefits of omega 3 in preventing heart disease and sudden death in healthy individuals
The benefits of omega 3 oils extend to that of healthy individuals as well.
Firstly, there was a study looking at the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in healthy male doctors. This study was known as the Physician's Health Study.
This study found that those with the highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood streams, had a risk of sudden death that was only 1/5 of the risk of sudden death found in the group with the lowest omega 3 fatty acid levels. That is, their relative risk was 19%. Those with the second highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids had a relative risk of less than 1/3, with a relative risk of 28%.
Secondly, there was the Chicago Physician's Health Study Western Electric Study which studied a group of 1822 men over a period of 30 years.
This study found that those who ate more than 35 g of fish per day had 38% less risk of dying from heart disease, and a 44% reduction in risk of heart attacks, when compared to those who had no fish intake.
So there you have it.
These are just some of the many studies on the benefits of omega 3 fish oils on our heart health. As you can see the benefits relate to preventing heart attacks in those who have already had one, as well as reducing heart attacks and risk of sudden death in otherwise healthy people.
And the health effects of omega 3's don't just stop there.
The benefits of omega 3 fatty acids extend to the prevention of dementia, prevention and treatment of depression, improvement of IQ in children, and other health problems common faced by our society today.
There are even studies on the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids on reducing levels of aggression.
So keep these benefits in mind when you're looking for fish oil supplements or omega 3 fatty acids to take as a part of your health regime.
Some people notice straight away that their moods are better. And of course, many people are taking their omega 3 fish oil supplements for these benefits on heart health, and to stay as healthy and vital as possible.