Fish oil --- good for heart??

[cynthiaG Member of 1000 Post Club! Find all posts View Profile Close cynthiaG]

what's this I've been hearing about fish oil and its benefits (heart related)

[Tigger1 Barely Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Tigger1]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

I have been taking fish oil for the last 3 months. I really can't tell what it's done for me. I would like to know what the benefits are. My sister-in-law, who is a micro-biologist, directed me to them....


Tigger1

[Pam Alexson Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Pam Alexson]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

Hi Cynthia and Tigger,
I have found some reading for you on the american heart association web [email protected]:
http://www.americanheart.org/present...dentifier=4632
I hope this helps.
Pam

[Midge Rollins Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Midge Rollins]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

I was just at Mayo yesterday for my 6 month post heart transplant visit. My LDL is up a little in spite of Pravachol. ( common in post transplant patients) One of the transplant docs said to take 6 capsules of fish oil a day. 3 in AM and 3 in PM. I never have had cholesteral issues so this is all new for me. But I guess fish oil is the way to go cant hurt.

[Laoshur Member of 1000 Post Club! Find all posts View Profile Close Laoshur]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

Cynthia,

It's probably clear from what others have written, but just in case it needs to be spelled out - the benefits of fish oil seem to be in preventing coronary artery disease. Is that good for people with HCM? Of course. But not because it is involved with HCM directly.

Rhoda

[vtmobile Shy Heart Find all posts View Profile Close vtmobile]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

Fish oil is full of omega-3 fatty acids. Eskimos eat lots of fish and they had much lower rates of heart disease. Fish oil protects from heart disease in at least three ways: 1) it effects the clotting system so that you are less likely to get a blood clot which clogs the artery and causes a heart attack. 2) it changes the nature of cell membranes. 3) it reduces triglycerides and may raise the good cholesterol, HDL. Changes in the cell membranes brought on by a hig content of omega-3's reduce the tendency to have fatal ventricular arrhythmias. A large European trial showed that 2g/d of fish oil reduced sudden death by ~20%.

I am not aware of any trial in people with HCM, per se. However, there is no real downside to taking 2 or 3 capsules a day. some people have expressed concern that fish oil may concentrate environmental toxins and they may end up in your own body. Some people tyhink it raises the blood sugar in people with diabetes. I for one, take three fish oil capsules a day (Costco brand is quite pure according to consumer reports). Talk to your doctor about it.

[Tigger1 Barely Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Tigger1]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

vtmoble,

You say 2-3 caps a day. What size caps are we talking. Mine are 1000mg...


Tigger1

[Burton Borrok Dearly Departed Find all posts View Profile Close Burton Borrok]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

A few years ago there was a craze about Omega-3 fish oil. (I thought it had pretty much died out now.) I used to just about soak in it, then in the mornings I’d slip out of bed and slip right into a shower. After that I was good for the rest of the day.

I have since given up on the fish oil and now take grape seed extract for its antioxidant qualities. I have used it for about a year now, after first discussing its use with my (then) cardiologist. I only take one 100mg capsule a day although the writing on the package says I can take up to two a day.

So far I have discovered no discernable effects – other then a propensity for hanging about in arbors. I guess that’s better then always wanting to swim.
Burt

[Tommy Mac Junior Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Tommy Mac]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

My HCM specialist recommends six capsules (1000mg) of fish oil daily and one flax seed capsule. Fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps keep the arteries healthy and flexible. Oh, and if you get the coated kind you won't burp so nasty. Just another tip from Tommy Mac. Enjoy!

[vmcmahon Atria Find all posts View Profile Close vmcmahon]

Re: Fish oil --- good for heart??

hi All - a few years ago while in college i spent one season eating mackerel daily - Not for reasons of health at the time - i just could not afford anything else (I was lucky in the fact that i was able to catch enough fish every few days for to suffice.. ). I did not notice it until toward the end of the season when i realized i was feeling better than i had been in a long time .. healthier and more energy(I was aware of my HOCM at the time). I totally attribute this to my diet of mackerel and the odd pint (or 3) of Guinness.

I have tried to do this again ( without the Guinness) but its so tough to get nice mackerel lately!!. I strongly believe in the health benifits of fish oil.

Vinnie