There is enough evidence concerning the prevention of heart disease and fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, for the US Food and Drug Administration to allow a verifiable health claim for the supplement. 

 It reads something like this:  ‘Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent cardiovascular disease problems.’ 

It might not seem like much, but that the FDA has approved the claim is impressive.  Regardless of how much evidence a supplement or food manufacturer can present, the FDA normally rejects applications for verified health claims.  They say that the claims can be misleading and makes the foods sound like drugs. 

But, when it comes to heart disease and fish oil, there is just too much evidence to ignore.  Can a supplement help you prevent cardiovascular disease problems?  That depends largely on your diet.

Some researchers indicate that there is no benefit for people that consume a great deal of fish or have a balanced intake of omega-6s to omega-3s in their diet.  It is just that most people don’t fall into either of those two categories.  It has been estimated that in the average modern diet, the omega-6 to 3 ratios are between 10:1 and 30:1.  Ideally it would be 4:1 or lower.

If you want to prevent cardiovascular disease problems, omega-6s are bad.  They contribute to:

• Inflammation, which plays a role in atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries
• High triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease
• High LDL (bad) cholesterol problems

Studies concerning heart disease and fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids have shown that supplementation:

• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces triglycerides in the bloodstream
• Improves HDL (good) cholesterol levels
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces clotting and thins the blood
Now, it is important to remember that omega-3s can only “help” prevent cardiovascular disease problems.  It is also important to reduce your intake of omega-6s. 

 Easy ways to do that include:
• Switching from corn oil to olive oil (corn oil contains 30 times more omega-3s than 6s…the content of olive oils is better balanced)
• Avoiding sunflower and peanut oils (they contain no omega-3s, only 6s)
• Eat wild Pacific or Alaskan salmon three times a week, instead of another meat

The studies concerning heart disease and fish oil have also indicated that the supplement may help prevent subsequent heart attacks in people that have already suffered from one.  The effect is similar to that of aspirin, but without the stomach upset.  Some doctors recommend both aspirin and fish oils for their patients that have had a heart attack.

If you want to prevent cardiovascular disease problems by increasing your omega-3 intake with a supplement or by eating more fish, it is important to learn about common contaminants like mercury.  Some species of fish and some brands of supplements are safer than others.

Some long-term studies concerning the prevention of heart disease and fish oil supplementation are still ongoing.  But, we expect that the results will be similar.

And now please visit the XtendFishOil website listed below for updated information on heart disease and fish oil and preventing cardiovascular disease problems .

And now I would like to invite you to visit http://www.XtendFishOil.com for FREE Instant Access to a very helpful newsletter that will keep you updated on skin care, nutritional supplements and other health related issues. And I have more information on Omega3 Fish Oil and heart disease prevention available at http://www.XtendFishOil.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/why-is-fish-oil-good-for-heart-disease-prevention-1164411.html

The Truth about Cholesterol

Every day, more people discover they have high cholesterol; and this in itself is not surprising as cholesterol is a health problem that affects individuals who are over weight, which is 70% of the current population.

Cholesterol is basically fat which accumulates on the walls of veins, capillaries and arteries causing blockage and poor circulation. This can be very dangerous to the heart and brain which depend on good blood circulation to get oxygen and nutrients. Eventually, cholesterol can block a vein or artery enough to stop the blood flow which can then cause stroke or heart failure.

Many people abstain from eating any type of fat under the misconception that all fats are bad and cause cholesterol. But just as there are good fats (such as Omega oils) and bad fats (such as saturated fat), there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.

In a lot of cases, individuals are found to have high levels of bad cholesterol simply because they don’t eat enough foods which provide them with the good cholesterol they need to fight the bad.

In other words, you may have cholesterol not because you eat too much red meat, but because you’re not eating enough fish, avocadoes and nuts!

To fight cholesterol, it is vital to create a very balanced diet that includes plenty of essential fatty acids and Omega oils that will help your body clean out the bad cholesterol, much like soap (which is often made from lard) cleans grease off your hands.

But in addition to a balanced diet, regular exercise is essential for a healthy body, even if its only 30 minutes each day. In the case of individuals who suffer from cardiovascular problems, it is recommended they exercise in the evenings or at night before bed as this improves the overall circulation through the night. Most heart attacks occur between the hours of 12 AM and 7AM, and nightly exercise is a way of preventing this.

There is a vitamin that is highly recommended for anyone who needs to clear out cholesterol and improve circulation. This vitamin is Niacin and has the amazing effect of dilating even the tiniest capillary veins.

Remember that cholesterol is a health issue caused mainly by bad eating habits. If you change your eating habits you change your health.

For more articles like this one or to contact Cristal, visit:

http://www.CristalMunoz.com

Cristal Munoz is a nutrition consultant and has written numerous articles relating to health and nutrition. For more info, visit: http://www.CristalMunoz.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/the-truth-about-cholesterol-1110136.html