Fish oil appears to help against heart failure

The Washington Times ^ | August 31, 2008, | MARIA CHENG

[seacapn]

MUNICH, GERMANY (AP) - Fish oil supplements may work slightly better than a popular cholesterol-reducing drug to help patients with chronic heart failure, according to new research released Sunday.

Chronic heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently around the body.

[seacapn]

How effective is fish oil? Well,

Comparing the results from both studies, the researchers concluded that fish oil is slightly more effective than the drug [Crestor] because the oil performed better against a placebo than did Crestor.

If you are spending big money on rosuvastatin (Crestor - and many are, since more than a billion dollars worth of that drug are purchased each year), you may want to consider fish oil pills instead, and maybe avoid some of Crestor's kidney/liver-related side effects.

[cripplecreek]

My dogs and I take fish oil daily. I don’t know if it helps but it sure doesn’t hurt.

[sneakers]

I bought some fish oil tablets several years ago. Somebody told me to put them in my freezer (so you wouldn’t get a fishy aftertaste) and they’ve been there ever since! lol!

I just ‘fished’ them out of my freezer. I wonder if they’re still ok to take. Do you have to take them with meals, or just with water?

I’m 53. I guess I’d better start taking this kind of stuff seriously!

[stopem1]

The benefits
Reduce inflammation – lower your risk of heart attack and stroke
Think clearly – boost brain function, memory, concentration and focus
Protect circulation – promote HDL (good cholesterol) while lowering triglycerides and unhealthy LDL (bad cholesterol)
Reduce pain – fight joint pain and inflammation while increasing flexibility

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids because they help sustain vibrant good health. Our bodies use these essential fatty acids to nourish our heart, brain, skin, glands and joints and help the process which produces our hormones.

[Renfield]

That reminds me...I forgot to take my fish oil this morning!!

(For those who have never taken it—God help you if you burp after taking it....)

[Righting]

OK, another Salmon slice for me...

[Paradox]

Fish Oil is one of the very few “natural” supplements that actually has alot of scientific data backing it up. The price is reasonable as well. I am kinda surprised though to see this measure up as well as it did against a statin, and Crestor, which is one of the stronger ones out on the market. This is good news.

[FormerACLUmember]

I take 2500 mg of distilled Omega 3 per day, a amount chosen since it is the average daily intake for an adult Japanese.

My cholesterol dropped from 260 to 179, my triglycerides are normal for the first time in my adult life, and my HDL went from 34 up to a normal 49.

My friends are now getting Lovaza, a prescription only Omega 3 fish oil, at even higher doses than I take.

http://www.lovaza.com/consumer/about_lovaza/lovaza-epa-and-dha.html?banner_s=205833026&rotation_s=28468578

[Renfield]

The dark green, leafy, cruciferous vegetables (collards, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, watercress, etc) are also excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids....and they taste a heck of a lot better than fish oil.

[stopem1]

And tuna.

[BIV]

I read that omega 6 is not so good. Anyone know if there’s any truth to this.
How much fish oil is the optimum daily dose?

[Sacajaweau]

I drink grape juice. Wine would deck me.

[Righting]

White Tuna preferred...

[seacapn]

It’s interesting how fish oil and fish consumption has actually been a folk remedy for heart trouble for centuries, but has been somewhat ignored in recent times, as people deferred to more “advanced” pharmaceuticals - forgetting, perhaps, that fish oil itself is an amazingly complex substance with a wide range of properties.

[grey_whiskers]

Like, *PING*, dude.

Cheers!

[Wonder Warthog]

"...and they taste a heck of a lot better than fish oil."

Fish oil gelcaps have no taste at all.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

A high quality product:
http://tinyurl.com/5ks6t6

[seacapn]

I read that omega 6 is not so good.

I think it's more complicated than that; it has to do with the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6. Taking fish oil helps correct the Omega 3/6 imbalance present in many modern diets.

[Guenevere]

I take the Omega-3 (coated so no fish burp!) twice a day, and my blood pressure has dropped significantly!

I will have blood work soon to see the results in my cholesterol....hopefully good.

My wonderful doctor rec. this to steer me away from prescription drugs, and I love her for it!

I feel better, more energy...and it actually can help with weight reduction.

I don't know if it's the Omega-3, but my husband has had 3 colds in a little over 2 months, and I have NOT caught them! :)

Now he's started taking the Omega-3 :)

I also take Niacin.

[devane617]

The dosage is missing. I suspect they used very high doses. I take Omega-3 daily, and have for many years. It can’t hurt...and in many ways makes good sense.