Omega-3 Fish Oils & Heart Health

Do you get enough Omega-3 fish oil in your diet?

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that your body cannot synthesize, so you can only obtain Omega-3 from your diet. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating oily fish at least 2 times per week. Examples of oily fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna.¹ If you do not get enough omega-3 through diet alone, you may want to consider taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements.

What happens if you don’t get enough Omega-3?

Signs and symptoms of omega-3 deficiency may include fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation.² If you are experiencing any of these symptoms take a moment to consult your physician on whether fish oil supplements are the right choice for you.

What’s the purpose of Omega-3 in your body?

Omega-3 fatty acids are an integral part of cell membranes throughout the body and affect the function of the cell receptors in these membranes. They provide the starting point for making hormones that regulate blood clotting, contraction and relaxation of artery walls, and inflammation. They also bind to receptors in cells that regulate genetic function. Likely through these cellular mechanisms, omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent heart disease and stroke.³ Since omega 3 fatty acids play such an integral role in optimizing our heart health, it may be important to make sure you are getting enough omega-3 through your diet or with supplementation.

What is the Difference between Omega-3 and Fish oil?

Omega-3 fatty acids are the active components in fish oil. The two essential omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which come from the fatty tissue of oily fish. An omega-3 fish oil supplement is most effective with high concentrations of EPA and DHA rich fish oil. Unfortunately, common fish oil supplements can contain as little as 8% of active DHA and EPA, and instead include inferior fish oil that may not be beneficial to your health.⁴

Are there Different forms of Omega-3 used in Supplements?

There are a variety of considerations that differentiate fish oils found in supplements. When looking for the safest omega-3 fatty acid supplements, choose fish oil that is derived from wild, cold-water fish that are low on the food chain, such as sardines and anchovies. Avoid fish oil vitamins that are sourced from bottom feeders, scavengers or farm-raised fish, which can increase the risk of contaminants including dioxins, PCBs and mercury.

Is there an Omega-3 Supplement Doctors Recommend for heart health?

Cardiamin^® is a doctor formulated and recommended supplement specially designed to support heart health. The omega-3 used in Cardiamin^® is sourced from wild sardines and anchovies from the cold waters off Chile, which reduces the risks associated with pesticides or other contaminants. The omega-3 is continually batch tested in the pharmaceutical grade facility where Cardiamin^® is produced. The concentration of omega-3 fish oil in Cardiamin^® is based on the latest clinical research and includes 1667 mg of fish oil, consisting of 600 mg EPA and 400 mg DHA to support heart health.⁵