In the journal PLoS Medicine, research revealed that balance diet with proper omega-3 fat ratio can lower the risk of heart attack.
The journal estimates an almost 100,000 people died each year due to Omega-3 deficiency while many more suffer devastating heart attacks, strokes and cognitive damages as a result. In the Nutrition Journal, another study provides evidence that men with the highest levels of the Omega-3 fat have lowered risk of developing heart diseases. On the other hand, elderly with the highest total Omega-3 concentrations have 70% lower risk of a fatal heart attack.
Meanwhile, omega-3 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that have in common a final carbon. These fatty acids are commonly found in fish oils. FDA recommends that total dietary intake of omega-3 from fish not exceed 3 grams per day, of which no more than 2 grams per day are from nutritional supplements.
Aside from fatty fish, Omega-3 can also be found in walnuts and seeds such as flax and chia that body needs to convert into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to be available for use. However, due to excess body weight and metabolic dysfunction, people are not able to complete this conversion and resort to take nutritional supplements or consume fish to achieve a healthy dose of EPA and DHA fats.
Humans have evolved to consume Omega-3 fatty acids and rely on its essential fat for the construction of cell wall membranes and to ensure cardiac health. Our ancestors ate a diet high in fish, nuts and seeds to yield great quantity of Omega-3 fats in the blood stream. Omega-3 fats help lower levels of inflammation, reduce triglycerides that can block the arteries and veins, and prevent blood clots.
On the other hand, in our modern times, out diet is heavily weighted by Omega-6, which induces inflammation and promotes heart complications. The oil we used for cooking and other processed foods we ate are commonly consists of Omega-6, which if taken at large amount can accumulate into the blood circulation and eventually block the vascular system resulting in atherosclerosis, blood clots and death.
