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Can Omega-3 Fats Really Speed Up Recovery After A Heart Attack?
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Besides all the above listed benefits, omega-3 fats help those recovering from heart attacks and the new evidence supports it. A study was led by Dr. Raymond Kwong at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. It lasted for six months and involved 360 participants who had recently suffered a heart attack and were in the process of recovery.
Participants were divided into two groups. One of which was given a placebo and served as the control group, while the other was given four grams of omega-3 supplements each day for the duration of the study.
Dr. Kwong, who serves as Director of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at the hospital, performed MRI scans on the participants’ hearts to observe whether or not the omega-3 supplementation had any effect on the recovery process. By studying these scans, Dr. Kwong and his team of researchers discovered that the group taking omega 3 supplements experienced a six percent improvement in the functioning of the heart, as well as reduction in scar tissue versus the control group.
While six percent may not sound like a lot to a layman, in scientific terms this was actually quite significant. Previous studies using only one or two grams of omega-3 fats did not produce much improvement. But four grams produced a modest jump in cardiac recovery. What this suggests is that higher doses of omega-3 fats can improve recovery more than once thought. “Can we do better than produce six percent heart improvement and six percent less scarring?” asked Dr. Kwong in an interview after the study. This is certainly worthy of further study and holds great potential for accelerating the recovery of heart attack survivors.
Adding more omega-3 fats to your diet is a wise idea for anyone, especially since many modern diets, particularly those in the Western world, have far too much omega six fats, leading to a nutritional imbalance which has been linked to all manner of health problems, including the obesity epidemic.
READ ALSO: 33 Full Of Omega-3 Foods Infographic
While the goal should always be to eat a healthy diet by incorporating omega 3-rich foods, for many people a supplement might be the quickest way to improve their intake. Some nutritionists and doctors argue that krill oil is a superior source than fish oil because it is less prone to oxidation. Krill oil is usually more expensive, but both options will improve your intake omega-3s. Research the brand you are considering buying to make sure you are getting a quality product, as some cheaper, less reputable brands use filler oils that don’t have the health benefits.
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