Cardiosteroil and heart disease

The evidence is overwhelming; fish oil supplements taken on a daily basis can lower the risk of dying from a heart attack. Recent studies in Denmark found that fish oil could reduce the chances of sudden death in heart attack patients by as much as 50%. It also offers increased protection against developing heart disease in the first place.

There are several ways in which fish oil appears to benefit the cardiovascular system:

• Reducing triglyceride levels
• Helping to stabilise irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
• Thinning the blood
• Lowering blood pressure
• Inhibiting the processes that lead to hardening of the arteries
• Increasing the level of good cholesterol
• Counteracting inflammation

It is the essential Omega 3 or n-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) present in fish oil that are responsible for these anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic and anti-coagulant effects. EPA in particular helps the body to produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. Every cell in the body generates Eicosanoids and if we produce too many pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, then we increase our chances of developing arteriosclerosis, blood clots, and ultimately, heart disease.

Most of us are aware that we need to cut down consumption of saturated fats and opt for polyunsaturated fats instead. However, a distinction must be made between Omega 6 and Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids promote inflammation whereas Omega 3 fatty acids counteract it.

Many health professionals believe that it is the imbalance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in our diet that are responsible for the increase in heart disease, inflammatory conditions, and immune disorders we see today. Cardiosteroil by Alta Care Laboratoires provides omega 3, 6 and 9 in the right quantities.