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Nutrition > Vitamins Forum > Reducing triglyceride levels with omega-3 fatty acids
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Q: Reducing triglyceride levels with omega-3 fatty acids
asked by: DoctorQuestion on January 29th, 2009
Some fish oil pills say they are in the natural triglyceride form. They also say they lower cholesterol including triglycerides. How does one triglyceride lower the other? Are fish oil pills in this form okay to take?


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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on January 29th, 2009
Vitamins Answer A5589
Fish oil is recommended for a healthy diet because it contains the omega-3 fatty acids.


Important nutritionally-essential omega−3 fatty acids are: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), all of which are polyunsaturated. On the other hand, triglycerides contain saturated fatty acids.





There is strong scientific evidence that omega−3 fatty acids significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels and regular intake reduces the risk of secondary and primary heart attack.





In a study published in the American Journal of Health System Pharmacy March 2007, patients with high triglycerides and poor coronary artery health were given 4 grams a day of a combination of EPA and DHA along with monounsaturated fatty acids. Those patients with very unhealthy triglyceride levels (above 500 mg/dl) reduced their triglycerides on average 45% and their VLDL cholesterol by more than 50%. VLDL is a bad type of cholesterol and elevated triglycerides can also be deleterious for cardiovascular health.





You could take fish oil pills.










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