Fish oil in the treatment and prevention of heart disease

The fat contained in the muscles (especially the dorsal part) and fish liver, is currently the subject of multidisciplinary research, as it contains a large number of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Back in the 80s of last century to 48% of general practitioners and cardiologists are actively administered to patients fish oil as a means for the treatment of disorders of fat metabolism and coronary heart disease.

Fish oil in the treatment and prevention of heart disease

In a series of studies to clarify the role of vitamins in the process of atherogenesis, conducted by a school professor, AL Myasnikov, it was found that vitamin D prevents the development of atherosclerosis. Then the children to prevent rickets, instead of fish oil were assigned pure vitamin D - ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), and fish oil actually began to be used for the treatment of wounds and burns, as an external agent.

However, in the seventies, the scientific interest in the fish oil revived thanks to the studies, which showed a low mortality from heart attack among the coastal part of the Inuit population of Greenland, which is primarily fed marine fish and marine animals. It was found that favorable for the prevention of atherosclerosis and myocardial blood lipid profile among the Eskimos of Greenland north-west owes its origin to fat fish, which contains in its composition of omega-3 PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic).

In addition to the first studies indicating an inverse relationship between the prevalence of and mortality from heart attack and the amount of fish consumed, there are other studies. Thus, in the Honolulu program for the study of heart disease by observing for 23 years, 8006 Japanese living in Honolulu (Hawaii, USA), found that the negative effect of smoking on the heart (the early development and severity of coronary artery disease) is significantly reduced in patients systematically consuming fish two or more times a week.

In a study comprising 1015 patients with myocardial infarction, half of which was recommended by an increase in fish consumption after 2 years was found to decrease mortality from heart attack by 29% compared with the 2nd group did not receive fish.

The results of numerous experimental and clinical studies on the effect of fish oil and the mechanism of its action can be briefly summarized as follows: fish oil has protivoateroskleroticheskim effect.

Dogs with cholesterol atherosclerosis of the carotid and femoral artery bypass grafting produced femoral arteries. Half of the dogs continued to receive cholesterol, the other - cholesterol and fish oil.
Long-term use of fish oil has protective effects on the graft (compared with the state of the shunt in the control group of dogs). In experimental animals exposed to ligation or thrombosis of one of the branches of the coronary arteries, the area of ​​necrosis was smaller and the frequency of malignant arrhythmias is much less, if these animals received fish oil.
In many experimental studies revealed the antithrombotic effect of fish oil
In experimental studies have revealed the property of fish oil to suppress atherosclerosis.
According to clinical observations, the use of fish oil in the form of a concentrate of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids leads to a decrease in blood triglyceride levels in the 21-79%. The content of total cholesterol in the blood in two-thirds of the studies was reduced by 34-65%, whereas in the remaining one third of the studies showed an increase in lipid levels up to 18%.
In the treatment of fish oil on the part of these effects of blood lipids developed in two weeks and persist throughout the treatment.

Fish oil is moderately reduces blood pressure in hypertension.
With a diet rich in fish oil, or when taking drugs encapsulated Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, marked prolongation of clotting time, reduced platelet aggregation, reducing the viscosity of whole blood, increasing the fluidity of erythrocyte membranes themselves, which improves the throughput in the blood stream. The beneficial effects on blood lipids, and antithrombotic effect of fish oils do (in the form of the fish diet or in the form of its components) is very attractive for the prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disorders (heart attack, stroke).

The effects of fish oil manifold. It is used to treat autoimmune and immunological
diseases - asthma, lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis. Anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil, in accordance with modern views on the role of inflammation in atherogenesis, gives additional grounds to the use of fish oil in atherosclerotic disease in the treatment and prevention.

The most important are the results of a large cooperative study carried out in Italy - GISSI-Prevenzione. Half of the 11,323 patients with myocardial infarction, within 3-5 years of age received 1.0 g omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the other half Chali standard treatment from your doctor (in total - 384 17.9 person / years of observation .) During this time he died in 1031 patients (9.1%). Within 3 months from the start of monitoring in patients receiving conventional treatment, in addition to fish oil, recorded fewer deaths than in the control group (1.1% vs 1,6%; p <0,037). By the end of the observation accuracy of the difference in favor of the study group was even higher (8.4 versus 9.9). The risk of death in the intervention group decreased by 21%. These data give an idea of ​​fish oils and preparations based on it, as a means of potentially possessing antiatherosclerotic action.

The American Heart Association makes recommendations for the appointment of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for a healthy population and in patients with manifest coronary heart disease (especially after acute coronary syndromes), recommends taking 1 gram of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the form of encapsulated fish oil. The main objective of this assignment - reducing the risk of sudden death. In addition, the American Heart Association recommends fish oil in patients with elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood of 2-4 grams per day. Supplementation of omega-3 recommended by the All-Russian Scientific Society of Cardiology.

The tolerance of fish oil is good. Of the minor side effects can be noted an unpleasant odor and bad taste of fish oil. The occurrence of the adverse effects of blood lipids (decrease in HDL cholesterol, increased LDL-C) by the end of the first year of fish oil disappear.

Wide range of people with risk factors and elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood is recommended to follow the mandatory
diet that includes 2-3 times a week taking fish (recommended for cold-water fatty fish).

Fish diet is completely combined with the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.