The far most renowned efficacy of Omega-3 is the preventative effect of cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3 started to get noticed after Dr. Krogh, from Denmark, has realized the low rates of heart diseases among Greenlanders even with their high consumption of fats. Through his researches, Dr. Krogh announced that Omega-3 found in Greenlanders’ staple food – whales and seals – is the key substance in preventing heart diseases, and for his study, he was recognized with Nobel prize.

Cardiovascular diseases include brain tumor, myocardial infarction, arteriosclerosis, and thrombosis, which all relate to blood clotting, stacking of grimes in the vein and uneven blood circulation due to narrowed veins. Also, these diseases are interrelated with diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol level and triglyseride level. The direct cause of blood clotting is excessive intake of the saturated fatty acids and as mentioned above, because saturated fats lack in double bonding, its fat solidification at room temperature can easily solidify the blood as well.

The following is the summary of Omega-3's efficacies on various diseases that are from official reports from research studies at American Heart Association.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol has the most direct effect on cardiovascular diseases. If the cholesterol amount in blood exceeds 240mg/dl, we call this state, hypercholesterolemia. Compared to a cholesterol level of 200mg/dl, 260mg/dl would double the mortality rate, and 300mg/dl leads to quadrupled mortality rate. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada also has announced that excessive cholesterol level would increase the outbreak of Ischemic Stroke twofold. What's more, other research studies concluded that 1% reduction in cholesterol level in blood could result in 3% less possibility of eruption of cardiovascular diseases.

Normally, lipoproteins carry cholesterol and depending on the quality of the carrier, the cholesterols are divided into the “good” HDL (High Density Lipoproteins) and the “evil” LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins). LDL adhere to the walls of veins and eventually distort the veins. Moreover, the distorted area attracts plaques that clot blood vessels and stores in the veins, which would direct to outbreak of arteriosclerosis by interrupting blood circulation. However, on the other hand, HDL is considered to be extremely vital as it carries LDL away from walls of veins to liver or other organs, to discharge them from the internal body.

Triglyceride, TG

At its sufficient level, triglyceride is a type of fats that helps maintain good health. Unlike cholesterols are transferred by HDL and LDL lipoproteins, TG is conveyed by VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins). Subsequently, TG triggers arteriosclerosis as it thickens the veins by accumulating plaques. Also, as the level of VLDL is abnormally high, it creates exposures to the dangers of liver cirrhosis, thyroid imperfecta, diabetes, or pancreatitis. Generally, hypertriglyceridemia accompanies both high LDL level and low HDL, and seen more in obese people.

The effect of Omega-3 on hypertriglyceridemia has been approved. According to Dr. Harris’ reports, daily intake of 4 grams of Omega-3 lowered TG level from 25% to 30%, raised LDL level from 5% to 10% and HDL level from 1% to 3%. In addition, amount of Omega-3 consumption is correlated to sinking TG level. Because postprandial triglyceridemia reacts sensitively to Omega-3 consumption, low intake (less than 2grams daily) is sufficient enough to lower the level. For hypertriglyceridemia patients, relatively high daily dose (3g-5g) of Omega-3 is recommended. This recommended amount of Omega-3 should be obtained from health supplements only, as it can’t be earned from normal diet. FDA warns that daily dose of more than 3g can cause massive hemorrhage and for this reason, patients with need of high consumption should do so under the supervision of their medical attendants.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure level can be determined in proportion to one’s age and by hereditary factors. Also, diabetes, obesity, stress, and smoking contributes to it as well. Appropriate consumption of Omega-3 drops the blood pressure level. Reduction effect on blood pressure level differs according to hypertension level. Dr. Morris and his colleagues have reported that daily intake of 5.6g of Omega-3 would lower the blood pressure of hypertension patients by 3.4/2.0mm Hg. Moreover, Dr. Appel and his researchers found that lowering of blood pressure level by 5.5/3.5mm Hg could be achieved by daily dose of 3g or more of Omega-3. For the entire research conclusion, DHA is considered to be relatively effective compared to EPA.

Diabetes

In United States, 1 million new cases of diabetes arise annually and 9% of adults over 20’s have diabetes or show symptoms. Diabetes shows high glucose level and usually convoys symptoms of oliguria, thirst, and loss of weight and it divides into 2 different types.

Type 1 Diabetes – Less than 10% of all diabetes cases, hereditary factors are main sources. This occurs when insulin – hormone that controls glucose level – production stops.
Type 2 Diabetes – Majority (90%) is considered as Type 2. Although insulin is produced, posteriori factors such as obesity, hypertension, and lack of physical activities result in loss of its function and increased glucose level.

Type 2 can easily be treated through appropriate diet and work out since it is mostly due to posteriori factors. High glucose level means decline in functional activities of insulin, which supplies sugars and fats to cells, leading to high density of glucose and fats in blood. Pancreas will keep produce insulin to lower glucose level, and liver carries lipoproteins into the blood. This will result in dramatic increase in VLDL, which will then boost the exposure to danger of heart diseases. Pancreas will then lose its insulin producing functions and diseases in circulation system, hypertension, blood clotting, retinal deterioration, and other diseases will be aggravated, which will then worsen the diabetes. Diabetes patients have higher chance (up to 6 times) of developing heart diseases and death rate is also high (3 to 8 times). Low fat diets and sufficient physical activities are recommended for diabetes patients. Also, Omega-3 will lower sudden rise in VLDL level and prevent development of heard diseases. Compared to Unites States, Japan has relatively low rate of diabetes outbreak. Omega-3 has become the new solution to diabetes as it reduces obesity, improves functions of glucose and insulin, and decreases blood pressure. American Diabetes Association agrees with American Heart Association’s recommendation of fish consumption and encourages diabetes patients to follow.

Myocardial Infarction, Heart Attack

Myocardial infarction occurs when state of coronary insufficiency continues due to coronary artery’s imbalance of oxygen demand and supply to cardiac muscles. This will create myocardial necrosis and eventually interrupt contraction of cardiac muscles. Blood clotting is one of the main causes for this disease, which is based on scleromic lesion stenosis cessation of coronary blood flow due to summation of thrombosis and twitch of arteries. In other words, plaques, which are accumulated in arteries linking to cardiac muscles, stop supplying oxygen. If cardiac muscle cells don’t receive sufficient oxygen, paralysis will occur and depending on which part of the body, death may be the end result in less than an hour. This is known as acute myocardial infarction and is very dangerous even without the symptoms because it could suddenly cause death through arrhythmia in few hours. Men in their 50’s and 60’s need frequent health check-ups as it usually occurs to them.

According to American Heart Association, 250,000 Americans die from strokes every year, and among the victims, number of people was not diagnosed with any heart diseases before. Also, it is reported that sudden arrhythmia is blamed as main cause.

Renowned medical magazine The New England Journal of Medicine published an article of 30-year research study of dietary habits and death toll through heart diseases of 1822 men aging from 40 to 55 who does not have any heart diseases. 430 men became victims of heart diseases 293 men from them died of myocardial infarction. More shocking result is hat among 293, 196 people died very suddenly. For remaining 137 of 430, sudden death was rarely the case. Upon reviewing participants’ dietary habits, probability of outbreak of myocardial infarction is 42% less for fish eaters (more than 35g daily) than those who merely consume fish (less than 1g daily). This confirmed that fish consumption is very effective for treating myocardial infarction.

Cerebral Accident, Stroke

As said by HSFC, cerebral accidents account for 4th major cause of death in Canada 16000 Canadians die from the accidents annually. Cerebral accident means loss of brain functions and depending on the causes, it can be classified into 2 types. First, Ischemic Stroke accounts for 80% of the cases and stoppage of blood circulation to brain is the main cause. Secondly, Hemorhagic Stroke is caused by deterioration of veins. If cells of areas that are affected by the stroke dies, various degrees of brain damage occur depending on areas affected. Looking at several research studies, which are based on the fact that blood clotting is the main cause, there is an inverse relationship between fish consumption and danger rate of the cerebral accidents. Zutphen’s research asserts that for people who consume fish (daly intake of 20g or more) have 49% chance of being diagnosed with the cerebral accidents than that of those who don’t. Also, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)’s research on women asserts that women with fish consumption (more than once a week) have half the chances of having cerebral accidents for women who do not consume fish.