Omega-3 fatty acid benefits the heart

MANILA, Philippines - With the current economic crunch, stress levels are at its highest among businessmen and even among ordinary people who are trying to make both ends meet.

Nestor M., a former 51-year-old manager in a big trading firm, was on a roll in his career when he turned 40. He had been promoted three times in a span of eight years and was again being groomed for a higher executive position.

But since last year, business was bad and he was far off his sales targets. He worked longer hours and traveled more to the provinces with hardly any rest day anymore, and yet his sales team still performed badly at the end of the year. He developed a stroke that paralyzed half of his body and rendered him unable to speak clearly.

Luis S. was a 57-year-old messenger-collector in a small company. Because of the economic crisis, his company had to downsize. Rather than lose his job, he agreed to a salary cut, which was barely enough to provide for the needs of his family.

To make both ends meet, he stopped buying his medicine for his high blood pressure and diabetes. After several months of not taking any medicine, he had a massive heart attack. Fortunately, he survived it, but he had frequent shortness of breath due to heart failure and was advised to retire already.

The cases of Nestor and Luis are not isolated ones. Thousands of men and women still many years short of retirement are forced to a lifetime of disability because of stroke and heart attack.

Some develop heart complications that can lead to heart failure and also disability. Many of these victims are not even aware that they are high risk and are ripe candidates to develop suddenly severe cardiovascular complications, including sudden death.

An early trip to the doctor for a check-up can identify patients at high risk who may benefit from treatment. A healthy lifestyle, consisting of diet and exercise, remains the cornerstone of treatment, according to heart experts. Medicine to correct risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol problems are also needed.

In 2002, the American Heart Association released a scientific report, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease,” on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on heart function (including antiarrhythmic effects), hemodynamics (cardiac mechanics) and arterial endothelial function.

Reducing cardiovascular events

As included in the AHA report, ongoing researches are being done to evaluate the link between omega-3 and cardiovascular risk reduction, but current research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids may do the following:

• Decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death;

• Decrease triglyceride levels;

• Decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque or narrowing of the arteries; and

• Lower blood pressure (slightly).

Randomized clinical trials have shown that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can reduce cardiovascular events (death, non-fatal heart attacks, non-fatal strokes). 

They can also slow the progression of atherosclerosis in coronary patients. However, more studies are needed to confirm and further define the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplements for preventing a first or subsequent cardiovascular event.

The current expert recommendation is that omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of - or who have - cardiovascular disease.

Although increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake through foods is preferable, coronary artery disease patients may not be able to get enough omega-3 by diet alone. These people may want to talk to their doctor about taking a supplement. 

Supplements could also help people with high triglycerides, who need even larger doses. The availability of high-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplements, free of contaminants, is an important prerequisite to their use.

Omegabloc is one of the brands of omega-3 fish oil locally available in Mercury and other leading drug stores. It has been available in the country for more than 10 years and is now prescribed by many doctors.

Usual recommended dose is one softgel two to three times daily.

Omegabloc comes from a US manufacturer that is one of the top sources of vitamins and food supplements worldwide. It is represented in the Philippines by Trianon International.

According to Charles Cultura, Trianon national sales and marketing manager, although Omegabloc is an over-the-counter product and requires no prescription, many doctors are now prescribing Omegabloc for their patients.

Provincial distributors are welcome and interested parties may call 8920723 or 24 or text 0917-8858786.