Heart Health Vitamins – Why take fish oil vitamins instead of eating fish?

In the last post , I discussed fish oil vitamins, and what they are.  So why take fish oil as a heart  vitamin if you can simply eat fish?  What follows is some information to consider when deciding how you will get the required omega-3 fatty acids into your body in order to benefit your heart health.

The first thing that I want to mention is that if you are pregnant, nursing, or have small children, you need to pay particular attention to the types and amounts of fish you or your children are eating.  This is because some fish contain more mercury than other fish, and can be harmful.

When choosing fish to eat, choose fish that are lower on the food chain, and therefore do not live as long and do not live long enough to accumulate as much mercury.  These kinds of fish include, but are not limited to, anchovies, salmon, crab, pollock, sardines, and shrimp.  The fish that are at the top of the food chain contain more mercury, tend to be predatory, and include (but are not limited to) marlin, swordfish, and shark.  These fish really should be avoided for human consumption.

So, if you do not eat fish regularly (i.e. a few times per week), do not like the taste of fish, or are concerned about the potential mercury content in the fish you are eating, then you may want to take a closer look at the heart health vitamin called fish oil supplements.

Fish oil (which contains the Omega-3 fatty acids) has numerous benefits beyond heart health, including brain health, joint health, and more!  Watch a future post for more information about the other health benefits of fish oil.  However, when it comes to heart health, research shows that fish oil consumption can help lower blood triglyceride levels, slightly lower blood pressure, slow down the speed that your arteries narrow, and decrease the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (called arrhythmias).

The research proves that the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are definitely good for your heart.  You just have to decide whether you would prefer to eat fish or take heart health vitamins (in the form of Omega-3’s).

Note: Consult with your physician!  Fish oil needs to be taken cautiously in combination with blood-thinners.