According to a new study just published 3 days ago in journal Circulation, high dose fish oil post heart attack improved heart function and reduced scarring.

The heart’s shape and function can be altered after a heart attack, which can lead to heart failure. There are limited things that can improve healing of the heart or prevent adverse remodeling. This study demonstrates the significant role of omega-3-fatty acids in the structure and tissue of the heart.

This study included 360 heart attack survivors. Researchers compared patients taking 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily for six months to those taking a placebo. There was a 5.8% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume index (predicts patient outcome and a 5.6% reduction in fibrosis formation in the non-damaged heart muscle of the fish oil group.

The treatment was safe and effective. Both groups received treatment based on guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association. Blood tests were used to confirm that patients in the omega-3 fatty acids group were compliant to the treatment.

Fish oil supplementation is an essential for cardiovascular health. Some doctors recommend fish oils to improve LDL particle size, lower triglycerides, anti-inflammatory properties, and simply overall health since these fats are essential for normal function of all of our cells.

Heart failure is a major problem post heart attack. These results demonstrate that omega-3 fatty acids improve cardiac remodeling, which allows the heart to contract better and decreases fibrosis in the region that is not damaged.

Other nutrients are also essential for heart failure patients. These are individuals that have a disruption in their metabolic processes and as the heart muscle weakens it cannot meet metabolic demands. Energy nutrients include ribose, CoQ10, and l-carnitine.

Ribose is a key nutrient for quickly restoring cardiac energy stores. It is needed to synthesize adenine nucleotides, certain vitamins, and other important cellular compounds.
CoQ10 plays a central role in the production of ATP and required for muscle contraction and other cellular processes.

Carnitine supports the heart by the delivery of fat to the heart muscle, which is its main fuel source.

In addition, magnesium and potassium should be considered to support all cardiovascular conditions. These nutrients are often depleted in heart failure often by the use of diuretic medications.

By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS

Source: Bobak Heydari, Shuaib Abdullah, James V. Pottala, Ravi Shah, Siddique Abbasi, Damien Mandry, Sanjeev A. Francis, Heidi Lumish, Brian B. Ghoshhajra, Udo Hoffmann, Evan Appelbaum, Jiazhuo H. Feng, Ron Blankstein, Michael Steigner, Joseph P. McConnell, William Harris, Elliott M. Antman, Michael Jerosch-Herold, Raymond Y. Kwong. Effect of Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters on Left Ventricular Remodeling After Acute Myocardial InfarctionClinical Perspective. Circulation, 2016; 134 (5): 378 DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.019949

Sharing is caring!