There is more than enough worldwide evidence that has supported the fact that the health benefit of fish oil include its ability to aid in the treatment of such condition as depression, anxiety, AHDH, heart diseases, macular degeneration, arthritis, AIDS and Alzheimer's disease. However, the main focus of this write-up is to examine the effect of fish oil on blood pressure.
Fish oil is known to contain Omega 3 essential fatty acid. This acid is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties. The Omega 3 fatty acid in fish oil could be of two particular types. This are known as EPA (eicosapentoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA has an exceptional ability to help thin the blood through the production of anti-inflammatory eicosaniods. There is a school of thought that postulated that the blood thinning ability of EPA is what is actually responsible for its ability to reduce blood pressure. This conclusion was based on the fact since EPA allows blood to run very efficiently throughout the body, less pressure is exerted on the heart.
Separate researches carried out at Harvard medical school and John Hopkins Medical School supported the fact that fish oil lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. It was also discovered by these researchers that the higher the dose of fish oil administered the higher the reduction in blood pressure.
Actually it was discovered that Omega 3 essential fatty acid in fish oil was efficient in lowering the level of LDL (Low density lipo-protein) - this is regarded as bad cholesterol for the heart - and elevates or increases the level of HDL (High density lipo-protein) - regarded as good cholesterol.
However, the anti-inflammatory effects of EPA cannot be waved aside whenever one considers high blood pressure reduction. The reason for this line of thought has to do with the fact that hjgh blood pressure is almost always associated with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. By virtue of the presence of EPA which normally helps the body to produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, the pro-inflammatory cytokines are taken care of. Hence there is a reduction in blood pressure. Fish oil is also known to prevent the accumulation of triglycerides in blood and helps to reduce the triglycerides level whenever it is in excess. Ultimately this will lead to the reduction in blood pressure.
Prel;iminary studies and researches has also shown that fish oil can be used in the prevention of atherosclerosis ( This is a condition that results in the hardening and narrowing of the arteries). When the arteries are hardened and narrowed, it ultimately results in high blood pressure. Regular usage of fish oil can help to prevent this condition.
Recent researches has also shown that fish could be effective in the treatment and management of heart stroke. Further researches has also proven the fact that regular consumption of fish oil could help in the avoidance of sudden cardiac death. However, the American Heart Association has cautioned that these recent research discoveries should be investigated further to attain final confirmation.
