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Fish oil and blood pressure

There is sufficient evidence now from numerous trials conducted all over the world demonstrating that fish oil can lower blood pressure. Although the exact way in which it does this are still unclear, it is believed to be due to a combination of factors, in particular the anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil.

Fish oil contains the Omega 3 fatty acids EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA or docosahexaenoic acid. We know that EPA in particular helps the body to produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and it also thins the blood. Some scientists are theorising that one way it could help reduce blood pressure is through the blood thinning effect. By allowing the blood to be pumped more efficiently throughout the body there is less pressure exerted on the heart.

In the 1990's, Harvard Medical School researchers carried out an evaluation of the results of 31 clinical trials and similarly, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical school evaluated the results of 17 clinical trials. Both of these evaluations carried out separately and involving a total of 48 different trials, found that fish oil lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings and many found that the higher the dose of fish oil, the higher the reduction. The effect also seemed to be more dramatic in people who already had hypertension whereas the effect on people with normal blood pressure was not really clear. However, researchers at the University of Cincinnati now maintain that fish oil supplements at lower doses can reduce blood pressure in people with mild hypertension but that the effect wore off once supplementation had ceased.

The anti-inflammatory effects of EPA are particularly important for high blood pressure when we consider that elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with high blood pressure. EPA helps the body to produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, which in turn limits production of cytokines and reduces inflammation throughout the body.

High blood pressure is known to be a risk factor for developing atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) and heart disease and inflammation is believed to play a significant role in the development of all of these conditions. Fish oil containing EPA has an anti-inflammatory effect and so by taking steps to reduce inflammation, we can reduce the risks.

The body cannot produce Omega 3 fatty acids on its own, it has to source them from the diet, however, we can produce DHA if we get enough EPA. Most people get too much of the pro-inflammatory Omega 6 fatty acids so supplementing with fish oil containing EPA is an efficient way of obtaining enough Omega 3 to restore the fatty acid balance, reduce inflammation and to lower blood pressure.

Omega 3 fish oils Pure EPA is available exclusively from mind 1st.

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