How Does Omega 3 Lower Cholesterol?

Increases "Good" Cholesterol

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good health. But the human body does not produce omega 3 on its own, so it must be gotten from food sources. A benefit of omega 3 is that is lowers cholesterol. One of the ways that it lowers cholesterol is that it increases a person's "good" cholesterol. The "good" cholesterol is high density lipoprotein (or HDL) cholesterol. HDL cholesterol tends to protect against heart disease. People who follow a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in omega-3 foods, have increased HDL cholesterol and decreased amounts of triglycerides (or the fatty material that flows in the blood).

Decreases "Bad" Cholesterol

Omega-3 fatty acids also lower cholesterol by decreasing the "bad" cholesterol. The "bad" cholesterol is low density lipoprotein (or LDL) cholesterol. When there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it builds up on the walls of the arteries and can lead to heart disease or stroke. People who consume fish oil supplements, which are rich in omega 3, have decreased amounts of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (or the fatty material that flows in the blood).

Lowers Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides

The human body gets its cholesterol through food and from what the body produces. Since the body makes all the cholesterol it needs, it is good to be watchful about how much is consumed since high cholesterol in the body leads to heart disease. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that some foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may lower total cholesterol and triglycerides in people who have high cholesterol.

American Heart Association Recommendations

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week. Fish does not have the high saturated fat that is found in fatty meats. Fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are the best choices because they are high in omega-3 acids. Besides fish, omega-3 is found in other foods like tofu, soybeans, canola, walnuts and flaxseed. These food items become omega-3 fatty acid in the body once they are consumed.