Lower Your Blood Pressure with Omega-3
We all know high blood pressure is dangerous, so how can something as simple as omega-3 lower it? It might sound too good to be true, but do yourself a favor -- take the time to hear what the experts have to say, take advantage of their knowledge, and reap the health benefits of omega-3.
Omega-3 studies
High blood pressure is when your blood pressure readings reach 140/90. The top number is your systolic pressure and the bottom number is the diastolic pressure. Either number being elevated is a warning sign of heart disease; you should immediately consult your doctor for treatment and medication.
Ideally, you don't want either your systolic or diastolic number to be elevated, but doctors have noticed and consider a normal systolic and high diastolic number to be a strong predictor of heart attack and stroke in young adults. This is where DHA supplements come into play.
According to Dr. Holub's 2007 study of omega-3 and fish oil benefits at the Nutritional Sciences Research Division at King's College in London, an omega-3 supplement significantly lowers diastolic blood pressure in middle-aged men and women. In the study, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) lowered the blood pressure in 38 subjects.
The subjects received either a plant oil supplement, which was the placebo, or algal-derived oil that provided 700mg of DHA per day for a period of three months. Dr. Holub reports a moderate (3.3 mm HG) but statistically significant reduction in the diastolic blood pressure reading.
What does all this mean to you?
If you are one of the 31% of Americans who suffer from high blood pressure, you can benefit from taking either plant-based supplements or fish oil supplements containing DHA.
Discuss this study with your physician and get his opinion on including omega-3 in your diet to lower your blood pressure.
