An Omega-3 Deficit Increases the Risk of Sudden Death
An Omega-3 Deficit Increases the Risk of Sudden Death
Many people in the United States and elsewhere die every year from sudden cardiac arrest. It's not the same thing as a cardiac arrest. In most cases, the heart suffers irreparable damage from a heart attack because of advanced atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). The heart gives up trying to pump blood and quits. When the electrical impulses that regulate heart function become erratic, an irregular heartbeat can lead to sudden cardiac death (arrhythmia). In extreme cases of arrhythmia, the heart will cease beating altogether, cutting off blood supply to the brain. If appropriate medical attention is not provided, death might occur very quickly. In many cases of sudden cardiac death, no preexisting heart problems are recognized.
Eating fish has long been known to lower one's risk of cardiovascular disease. For what reason? There are two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that can be found in abundance in fish, especially cold-water fatty fish (PUFA). These two fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)hat reason? There are two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that can be found in abundance in fish, especially cold-water fatty fish (PUFA). These two fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, can be lowered by taking omega-3 fatty acids because they prevent the clotting of blood platelets and slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Newer research, however, suggests that omega-3 fatty acids also affect fatal arrhythmias by controlling the impulses that govern heart rhythm, therefore reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death.
In one study, mycocytes played a key role (cells that beat independently). When the free fatty acids were introduced to these cells, the arrhythmias stopped immediately. Arrhythmias would return once the fatty acids were removed from the mycocytes, demonstrating that omega-3 fatty acids had a calming influence on the heart's electrical system. Ion channels, proteins that regulate the passage of ions including sodium, calcium, and potassium across cell membranes, appear to be crucial to the regulation of rhythm.
Danish scientists also looked into the link between omega-3 fatty acids and heart rate variability in healthy people. It was already known that people who had recently suffered a heart attack could benefit from treatment for cardiac arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to see if the same benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing arrhythmia held true for people who did not have heart disease.
The sixty healthy adults were split up into three groups at random. To begin, one group was given omega-3 fatty acid pills each day (containing 3.0 g of EPA and 2.9 g of DHA). The second group got 2 grams of omega-3s (containing 0.9g EPA and 0.8g DHA). The remaining subjects were given a placebo consisting of olive oil. During those 12 weeks, the supplements were taken regularly. The participants' heart rate variability and blood cell fatty acids were assessed both before and after taking the supplements. The amount of omega-3 ingested was found to have a beneficial effect on heart rate variability. In other words, guys who had poor heart rate variability prior to supplementation saw improvements as they increased their omega-3 intake.
The study's authors found that omega-3 fatty acids boosted HRV and were protective of heart health. These results were consistent with prior research indicating that omega-3 has a beneficial effect on cardiac rhythm in people who have previously suffered a heart attack. While abnormal heart rhythm is the leading cause of unexpected mortality in the developed world, omega-3's heart-protective properties have promising implications for preventing cardiac arrest. Mechanical tests by these and other researchers seemed to back up the idea that frequent, low-dose consumption of fish and fish oils can prevent potentially catastrophic cardiac arrhythmias. Simply put, eating fish and taking fish oil supplements can save lives.
Check out the following resources to learn more about Omega-3 and cardiovascular health:
http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/fishoils.html
http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/fish-oils.html
http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/cardiacarrest.html
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