With many studies to back up its benefits, fish oil is usually recommended as a preventative for heart and circulation problems. Together with the population research showing that intake of fish oil lashes the rate of cardiovascular disease, are actually hundreds of scientific studies that support these findings. Fish oils reduce chloresterol and triglyceride levels and also function as a natural blood thinner, which results in the lowering of blood pressure.
Omega-3s in fish oil assist to prevent irregular heartbeat, lower blood-clot risk, and resist arterial plaque buildup. While the federal government traditionally has been slow to endorse supplement use, in 2004 its Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality expressed strong support for Imega-3s, noting that “intake of omega-3 fatty acids, whether from fish or from Supplements, decreases all-cause mortality and improves various cardiovascular disease outcomes.” A Greek study from 2005 indicated that regular consumption of omega-3-rich fish reduces blood markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, which are known risk factors for heart attacks. In an Italian research, patients who received just 1g daily of omega3s during the critical 90 days after a heart attack lowered their risk of sudden death by an amazing 42%. The American Heart Association also recommends omega-3s and daily consumption of a minimum of 500 mg of EPA and DHA combined to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Fish oil has also been proven to prevent the reclosing of arteries after angioplasty. And it has been proven to have a mild to moderate impact on regression of atherosclerosis (plaque in the arteries) in people who have coronary artery disease.