Of the many measures one can take to lower their cholesterol, one of the easiest may be the introduction of fish oil
into your regular diet.
According to the American Heart Association, fish oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which are poly-unsaturated fatty acids that have also been known to prevent blood clots and lower your blood pressure. Fish oil can also lower triglycerides, the chemical form of fat found in both the body and in foods.
An August 2009 study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology not only confirmed the benefits of fish oil as a preventative measure for heart disease, it also concluded that regular consumption could prevent cardiac episodes and related death for those who already have heart disease. Medical director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention at the Ochsner Medical Center, Dr. Carl Lavie told Science Daily, "The strongest evidence of a cardioprotective effect of omega-3s appears in patients with established cardiovascular disease and following a heart attack with up to a 30 percent reduction in CV-related death."
The American Heart Association recommends that those without existing heart disease should include oily fish into their diets no less than twice a week as well as flax seed and walnuts, which are rich in alpha-linolenic acid. For those who already suffer from heart disease, ingesting one gram of EPA+DHA is recommended, ideally from fish. However, supplements are also an option. preferably with your doctor's permission. If your doctor has instructed you to lower your triglycerides, he or she may recommend between two and four grams of EPA+DHA in supplement form.
