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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
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Does Omega 3 Fatty Acid Lower Cholesterol?
There exists a tension between traditional Western medical practitioners and those who advocate “nontraditional” (to Western medicine) or “alternative” practices, such as nutritional therapy. This tension is just as prevalent in the area of cardiovascular risk modification as it is anywhere else. Conflicting research only adds fuel to the fire.
Western Medicine’s Answer
Western medicine’s answer to the question, “Does omega 3 fatty
acid lower cholesterol?” is a qualified, “Maybe.” As
the FDA says, the research is “supportive, but not conclusive.”
Studies have shown that people who eat the Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop heart disease. They have increased HDL (good cholesterol) and decreased LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. One possible reason for this is that the Mediterranean diet has a better balance of omega 6 to omega 3 oils than the traditional Western diet.
This finding is reinforced by the fact that people who eat the Inuit diet also have lower incidences of cardiovascular disease. Their diet is high in fat, but the fat comes from cold water fish and is rich in omega 3 oils.
Several reviews of medical research have yielded conflicting evidence. Some have reported decreases in both morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, and some have reported that taking omega 3 fatty acids has no effect on cardiovascular disease.
More original research is needed to determine, to the satisfaction of Western physicians, whether omega 3 fatty acids do, in fact, lower cholesterol and/or prevent heart disease.
Alternative Medicine’s Answer
Alternative medicine answers the question, “Does omega 3 fatty acid lower cholesterol?” with a resounding, “Yes!” They claim that omega 3 fatty acids lower total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, while increasing HDL.
There is, however, considerable debate among alternative health care practitioners about what kind of supplement is best (botanical vs. marine), oxidation rates of various supplements, and dosage requirements.
It is also wise to remember that most alternative health practitioners who tout the benefit of a supplement sell that supplement, so they have a vested interest in convincing you of the veracity of their claims. | | |
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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
Omega 3 fish oils Pure EPA is available exclusively from mind 1st.
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