Lowers Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Heart disease and strokes are the leading cause of death worldwide. And there is a reason fish-eating communities record a low incidence of both conditions. It’s because omega-3 fatty acids found in some fishes can provide several benefits for heart health.
First, omega-3s help lower blood pressure levels. High blood pressure or hypertension leads to life-threatening complications because it pushes the heart to work harder.
Second, omega-3s help reduce elevated triglycerides while raising good cholesterol levels. Triglycerides are fatty cells that narrow the arteries if they become too many. HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or good cholesterol, helps absorb cholesterol in the blood, carrying it back to the liver, which flushes it from the body. How omega-3s work to have both in ideal levels is beneficial in keeping the heart healthy.
Third, omega-3s help keep the arteries free from plaque and damage. That means the blood could run smoothly, which gets a further boost from the fatty acids’ ability to control blood platelets from clumping together and forming harmful blood clots.
