Omega-3 Fatty Acids help to maintain healthy Blood Pressure

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are active ingredients of fish oil, have been proven to have multiple health benefits. Lets review studies indicating the potential lowering effect of Omega-3 on elevated blood pressure.

In 2003, the Journal of Experimental Biology and Medicine published a study named “Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) on Vascular Pathology and Reactivity in Hypertension”. This was an animal study. DHA is one of the fatty acids. The findings have demonstrated that DHA diminishes blood pressure and thickness of the vessels. This may contribute to decreased arterial stiffness and pulse pressure, in addition to the antihypertensive properties of DHA.

In 1993 the Journal of Circulation published a meta-analysis of controlled trials called “Does fish oil lower blood pressure?” A total of 31 placebo-controlled trials with 1356 subjects were analyzed. There was a statistically significant effect of Omega-3 on reducing blood pressure. Both Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were notably related to blood pressure reduction. Omega-3 supplementation did not affect blood pressure level of participants with normal blood pressure. By contrast, impressive blood pressure lowering effects have been observed among participants with base line elevated blood pressure. A few studies revealed dose dependent effect, where 4-5 grams of Fish Oil were more effective than 2 grams per day. Individuals with clinical atherosclerosis and a high cholesterol level were found to respond to Omega-3 fatty acids treatment more impressively.

One more meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1993. It was named “Does supplementation of diet with 'fish oil' reduce blood pressure?” Researches have conducted a meta-analysis of 17 controlled clinical trials of Omega-3 supplementations. The analyses indicated that dietary supplementation with a fairly high dose of Omega-3, usually more than 3 grams per day, may lead to clinically significant blood pressure drop in individuals with elevated blood pressure.

In 1989 The New England Journal of Medicine published “The antihypertensive effects of fish oil. A controlled study of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements in essential hypertension”

The outcome of this study has indicated that high doses (at least 3 grams) of Omega-3 Fish Oil may decrease blood pressure in individuals suffering from elevated blood Pressure.

A study conducted at the Department of Medicine at the University of Western Australia, and the West Australian Heart Research Institute and published in the Journal of Hypertension pointed that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has much more pronounced antihypertensive effect than Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Journal “Experientia”in 1985 published the study of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on people with normal and elevated blood pressure as well as individuals with an elevated cholesterol level. Participants with baseline normal blood pressure presented with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures at the end of the observation period. In participants with elevated baseline Blood Pressure and cholesterol only systolic Blood Pressure was appreciably decreased.

ABCVitaminsLife Scientific Advisory Board believes that Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplementation should be strongly considered by individuals with elevated blood pressure. Since high blood pressure is an important risk factor for developing coronary heart disease, Omega-3 supplementation may have multiple benefits for elevated blood pressure management and heart disease prevention.