6 facts about the benefits of omega-3 for Blood thinning and Cholesterol Reduction

Increased blood viscosity is one of the main causes of heart attacks, varicose veins, and strokes.

This phenomenon leads to the formation of blood clots, which subsequently disrupt the normal conduction of blood vessels. And it really can lead to death in the end.

It is often claimed on thematic forums that daily consumption of foods such as red fat, rich in omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, helps to thin the blood and fight its thickening.

And indeed, Modern research confirms that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids improves blood composition, lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

But do omega-3s really have the property of reducing the viscosity of too thick blood? What do the doctors think about this? And if so, how to take omega-3 correctly and what foods should be included in your diet?

Effect on blood viscosity

The main function of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids is to regulate lipid (fat) metabolism in almost all tissues of the human body. And this is achieved through stimulation and regulation of intercellular metabolic processes.

In simple terms, omega-3 "opens" the pores of the cell membranes, which begin to process carbohydrate and fatty biochemical compounds more actively.

Also omega-3 Regulates low-density cholesterol metabolism , which just increases the risk of blood clots.

But, unfortunately, the already formed plaques cannot be "dissolved" in any way – they can only be removed mechanically by surgery. Quite often on various forums there are recipes for how to "dissolve" blood clots and plaques, but, according to doctors, this is impossible even in theory.

And also under the action of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, the concentration of arachidonic acid in platelet membranes is regulated (reduced), due to which reduces the risk of platelet clumping . At the same time, the concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid in the blood plasma increases, which also contributes to its dilution.

In total, omega-3 (and omega-6) really help reduce blood viscosity. And with all this, such fatty acids tend to accumulate in the body. Therefore, their regular use has an extremely positive effect on the overall the state of the cardiovascular system , reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and the formation of cholesterol plaques.

6 beneficial properties for the heart and blood vessels

Omega-3 also has the following effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system:

1. Reduces cholesterol levels. This is also due to the ability of omega-3 to regulate blood plasma lipid levels.
2. Increases the concentration of red blood cells. That is, it affects the hematopoietic function, stimulating the work of the bone marrow.
3. Regulates the concentration of minerals in the blood. And in childhood and adolescence, omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids are necessary for the formation and growth of healthy bone tissue.
4. Slightly reduces blood pressure. Will help hypertensive patients to alleviate their condition.
5. Reduces the frequency of migraine attacks. As it is known, the etiology of this disease has not yet been established, but is associated with an incorrect "reaction" of the cerebral vessels to various kinds of external stimuli.
6. Comprehensively improves blood composition. Normalization of its biochemical composition helps to prevent the occurrence of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.

More about the benefits of omega-3 for the heart and blood vessels see in a separate article.

And omega-3 fatty acids indirectly regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. That, in turn, produces several groups of hormonal compounds that also affect the circulatory system (for example, the concentration of white blood cells). Minor effects are also exerted on the pituitary gland, pancreas, which also indirectly regulate the digestive system.

Also Omega-3 acids are good for the brain and even help get rid of depression .

Content in products (table)

One of the main sources of omega-3 is fish oil. There are as many as 23 grams of unsaturated fatty acids per 100 grams of such a product. And how much should it be consumed daily? Doctors recommend about 800 mg or more.

First of all, check out the table:

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Naturally, omega-3 is in considerable concentration is also found in fatty fish varieties , for example, in carp, walleye. That is why doctors recommend that all patients with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system completely replace animal meat in their diet with seafood. The following are especially useful:

• Tuna;
• Shrimp;
• Halibut;
• Mackerel;
• Salmon;
• Herring.

Omega-3 is also found in significant amounts in:

• Flaxseed oil (about 22 grams per 100 grams of oil);
• Walnuts (7 grams per 100 grams of kernels);
• Soybeans (1.8%);
• Sprouted wheat and oat grains (0.7 – 1%).

You can even use fish oil at all – it can be purchased at almost any pharmacy in the form of small capsules with a gelatin shell (a pack of 50 tablets, which is enough for almost a month, will cost only 60-100 rubles).

In small concentrations of essential fatty acids are found in almost any vegetable oils .

Most of all – in flax and hemp, sunflower and olive are practically absent. A good option is to use refined corn oil at home for culinary purposes. Although it is a little more difficult to perform frying with it, it will be much more useful for the body than using sunflower (especially unrefined).

How to take it correctly?

Recommended the daily norm for a healthy person is 800 mg (0.8 grams). It is allowed to take it only once a day, since all essential fatty acids can accumulate in the body and be used as needed.

The so-called "therapeutic" dose of omega–3 is 1.6 - 2 grams per day. Such a dosage should be observed, for example, with coronary heart disease or with a genetic tendency to too thick blood.

And for girls during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding), a short–term increase in dosage up to 2.2 - 3 grams is allowed.

Another feature of almost all essential fatty acids is that they are more actively used by the body in the process of rapidly reducing body fat. Therefore, during the period of low-calorie diets, it is recommended to increase the intake of omega–3 to 3-4 grams. But at the same time, admission is conducted in short courses of 5-7 days, followed by a break of 10 days.

For preventive purposes, omega-3 is taken 400-800 mg per month. Next, a break is required for 10 to 20 days. In more detail, it is recommended to consult with a family doctor or make an appointment with a cardiologist, neurologist, nutritionist.

Possible side effects

Occasionally taking omega-3 in large doses (from 800 mg per day) may be accompanied by the following unpleasant symptoms:

1. Nausea and rare vomiting attacks;
2. Stool disorder (diarrhea, constipation, increased gas formation);
3. Exacerbation of pancreatitis;
4. Increased acidity of the stomach environment (may be accompanied by prolonged heartburn);
5. Unpleasant taste in the mouth (it is not something dangerous - this is a property of fish oil, which is the main dietary supplement with omega–3).

All of the above symptoms are most often manifested with a sharp increase in the amount of fatty acids obtained, when the body was previously deficient in them. Accordingly, in the first days it is recommended to reduce the dosage by 2-3 times and increase it gradually.

In very rare cases, omega-3 (as part of fish oil) may cause an allergic reaction . In such situations, dietary supplements are simply replaced or similar drugs are replaced with a specialized diet.

Contraindications

According to the official instructions of the Omega-3 drug from Doppelherz, a contraindication for its appointment is the presence of the following diseases and physiological factors:

1. Cholecystitis or pancreatitis in the acute stage (or in the acute stage);
2. Cholelithiasis in the acute stage;
3. Unexplained pathologies of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems (in autoimmune diseases, the body's reaction to omega-3 may be too critical).

Such drugs should also be abandoned with a slow metabolism. First of all, it will be necessary to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal microflora and only after that take up vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and other trace elements that regulate lipid and cholesterol metabolism.

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Conclusion

In total, fish oil really reduces blood viscosity, regulates the concentration of shaped elements, and reduces the likelihood of platelet gluing. All this in total eliminates the risk of blood clots and cholesterol plaques.

The recommended daily intake of essential fatty acids is about 400 – 800 mg. A lower dosage should be observed only for children under 3 years of age – up to 200-300 mg per day. The easiest way to do this is to include fish oil or seafood in your diet.

Omega-3 is also found in significant amounts in walnuts, vegetable oils, sprouted grains of oats and wheat.