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Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that's thought to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower your blood pressure and may reduce your risk of heart attack.

  • Fish and fish oil are the most effective sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish, such as salmon, herring and to a lesser extent tuna, contain the most omega-3 fatty acids and therefore the most benefit. Fish oil supplements may offer benefit, but the evidence is strongest for dietary sources.
  • Flax and flaxseed oil also contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, though studies have not found these sources to be as effective as fish. The shell on raw flaxseeds also contains soluble fiber, which can help lower blood cholesterol.
  • Other dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, canola oil, soybeans and soybean oil. These foods contain smaller amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than do fish and fish oil, and evidence for their benefit to heart health isn't as strong.
Lifestyle and home remedies Treatments and drugs

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References
  1. Coronary artery disease. National Lung, Heart, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Cad/CAD_WhatIs.html. Accessed April 29, 2010.
  2. Morrow DA, et al. Chronic coronary artery disease. In: Libby P, et al., eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4106-1..50057-1&uniq=198193047&isbn=978-1-4160-4106-1&sid=989729689. Accessed April 29, 2010.
  3. Toth PP, et al. Coronary artery disease. In: Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/198193047-17/0/1481/455.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50041-5--cesec46_2228. Accessed April 29, 2010.
  4. Hall SL, et al. Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. American Family Physician. 2010;81:289.
  5. Wilson PWF. Overview of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 29, 2010.
  6. Body composition tests. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4489. Accessed April 29, 2010.
  7. Heart disease. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/heart-disease/. Accessed April 29, 2010.
  8. Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 7, 2010.
  9. Lovett E, et al. Advising patients about herbs and nutraceuticals: Tips for primary care providers. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2010;37:13.
DS00064 July 2, 2010

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