| Why Eskimos Has Lower Heart Diseases? | | | | Flax Seed and Omega-3 |
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| Researchers started to focus on omega 3 fatty | | | | We also recommend eating flax seeds and other |
| acids in early 80s when studies found that | | | | forms of soybeans, canola, walnut and |
| Eskimos had a lower rate of heart diseases | | | | flaxseed, and their oils. These contain |
| despite consuming a higher-fat diet rich in | | | | alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), which can become |
| fish. Fish oil contains Omega-3 which reduces | | | | omega-3 fatty acid in the body. The extent of |
| heart diseases. However, in today's polluted | | | | this modification is modest and |
| world, it is recommended that we take flax | | | | controversial, however. More studies are |
| seed oil instead for a proper balanced ratio | | | | needed to show a cause-and-effect |
| of Omega-3 and Omega-6. | | | | relationship between alpha-linolenic acid and |
| | | | heart disease. That is why, many doctors |
| What Is Omega-3? | | | | recommend that their patients take their |
| | | | daily dose of flax seed oil. |
| What are omega 3's and what are the best | | | | |
| omega 3 sources? The omega 3 essesential | | | | Benefits of Flax Seed oil |
| fatty acids (EFA's) are polyunsaturated fats | | | | |
| or the so-called "good fats". These desirable | | | | The ways that omega-3 fatty acids reduce CVD |
| fats cannot be made by the human body, so | | | | risk are still being studied. However, |
| they must be obtained from foods or | | | | research has shown that they |
| supplemental sources. These fats are required | | | | |
| for normal development of the brain, eyes and | | | | 1. Decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can |
| nerve tissue in humans. Clinical studies show | | | | lead to sudden cardiac death |
| that omega 3 benefits come primarily from | | | | |
| DHA. | | | | 2. Decrease triglyceride levels |
| | | | |
| Sources of Omega-3 | | | | 3. Decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic |
| | | | plaque |
| The best omega 3 sources are animal foods, | | | | |
| not plant sources. For example, flaxseed is a | | | | 4. Lower blood pressure (slightly) |
| source, but the body must convert the flax | | | | |
| oil omega 3 into DHA and EPA. This can be | | | | The scientific evidence about whether omega-3 |
| difficult for unhealthy or elderly persons. | | | | fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary |
| Three of the top omega 3 sources are | | | | heart disease (CHD) is suggestive, but not |
| cold-water fish oil, Flax Seeds and natural | | | | conclusive. Studies in the general population |
| eggs. | | | | have looked at diets containing fish and it |
| | | | is not known whether diets or omega-3 fatty |
| Omega-3 Reduces Cardiovascular Diseases | | | | acids in fish may have a possible effect on a |
| | | | reduced risk of CHD. Flaxseed Lowers |
| The omega-3 fatty acids that are of | | | | Cholesterol too! |
| particular interest for cardiovascular care | | | | |
| include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA | | | | Omega-3 Improves Respiratory In Children |
| (docosahexaenoic acid), which are found | | | | |
| predominantly in fish and fish oils.1,2,3 The | | | | An analysis of 10 randomized controlled |
| basis of this heightened interest in dietary | | | | trials (RCTs) and nine other studies |
| intakes of EPA and DHA comes partly from | | | | addressed the effects of omega-3 fatty acids |
| epidemiological and population studies4 | | | | on respiratory outcomes. The AHRQ could not |
| indicating that increased consumption of fish | | | | conclude whether omega-3 fatty acids are an |
| as a source of omega-3 fatty acids is often | | | | efficacious adjuvant or monotherapy in |
| associated with decreased mortality from | | | | improving respiratory outcomes in adults or |
| cardiovascular disease. | | | | children. |
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