Studies showed that people living in native Inuit i.e. Eskimos have relatively lesser risk of heart diseases compared to the rest of the world. The Eskimos are supposed to be following high fat diet. So one must be wondering how this would be possible. Extensive studies have been conducted around this phenomenon. The researcher then arrived to a conclusion that Eskimo diet consists of fish from deepwater. The oils from deepwater fishes are found to be rich in omega – 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This finding had triggered the extensive study on affects of fish oil on heart and health of the heart.
Now let’s look at how these unsaturated oils actually help the heart to function at its best. The usual myth is that fats are harmful to the general health of the body but the fact is there are fats that are actually useful to the body. The important thing is to know the different between good and bad fats. Fats are made up of different types of fatty acids. These fatty acids are made up of carbons consisting of long and short chains. There are four binding sites per carbon atom, with which it can attach with other atom. In case of saturated fats, all four sides of this carbon atom are bound with hydrogen atoms. If one or more sides of the carbon atom is attached to another carbon atom apart from hydrogen atoms on the other side, then the fatty acids are called unsaturated fatty acids. When two or more these unsaturated fatty acid chains bind together it is called polyunsaturated fatty acids. Based on the location of the bonding in the chain they are classified as omega 3 or omega 6. Both these fatty acids are essential for the body and can not be synthesized in the body so the body needs to depend upon other sources.
People with hearts that are made up of rigid cell membranes are susceptible to heart diseases while those whose hearts are made up of flexible cell membranes are comparatively healthier and are at lesser risk of heart diseases. Wondering how is this related to the polyunsaturated fat! Well the good news is the polyunsaturated fatty acids have double bonds between carbon atoms and thus making it flexible and useful curved structures. When cell membranes are made up of fatty acids, they are flexible and elastic and it is already said that such membranes in the heart are considered healthy.
Studies proved that fish eaten as an essential part of the diet had positive affects on overweight and hypertension. It is found to be effective in reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension. Omega -3 fatty acids have shown reducing the risk of heart attacks. Women in their late 40’s and early 50’s, in specific who have gone through menopause, have higher risk of heart diseases. It is found that using fish oil in their daily diet had reduced the risk of heart attacks. They are also shown to have positive effects for other diseases like asthma, depression and increase in the survival time cancer patients.
All species of fishes do not have high levels of these fatty acids. Fishes like sardines, tuna, mackerel and herring are the rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Now let’s look at how these unsaturated oils actually help the heart to function at its best. The usual myth is that fats are harmful to the general health of the body but the fact is there are fats that are actually useful to the body. The important thing is to know the different between good and bad fats. Fats are made up of different types of fatty acids. These fatty acids are made up of carbons consisting of long and short chains. There are four binding sites per carbon atom, with which it can attach with other atom. In case of saturated fats, all four sides of this carbon atom are bound with hydrogen atoms. If one or more sides of the carbon atom is attached to another carbon atom apart from hydrogen atoms on the other side, then the fatty acids are called unsaturated fatty acids. When two or more these unsaturated fatty acid chains bind together it is called polyunsaturated fatty acids. Based on the location of the bonding in the chain they are classified as omega 3 or omega 6. Both these fatty acids are essential for the body and can not be synthesized in the body so the body needs to depend upon other sources.
People with hearts that are made up of rigid cell membranes are susceptible to heart diseases while those whose hearts are made up of flexible cell membranes are comparatively healthier and are at lesser risk of heart diseases. Wondering how is this related to the polyunsaturated fat! Well the good news is the polyunsaturated fatty acids have double bonds between carbon atoms and thus making it flexible and useful curved structures. When cell membranes are made up of fatty acids, they are flexible and elastic and it is already said that such membranes in the heart are considered healthy.
Studies proved that fish eaten as an essential part of the diet had positive affects on overweight and hypertension. It is found to be effective in reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension. Omega -3 fatty acids have shown reducing the risk of heart attacks. Women in their late 40’s and early 50’s, in specific who have gone through menopause, have higher risk of heart diseases. It is found that using fish oil in their daily diet had reduced the risk of heart attacks. They are also shown to have positive effects for other diseases like asthma, depression and increase in the survival time cancer patients.
All species of fishes do not have high levels of these fatty acids. Fishes like sardines, tuna, mackerel and herring are the rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
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