A study shows that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are as effective in lowering blood pressure as some of the commonly recommended lifestyle changes.
March 7/Salt Lake City/Business Wire -- A study published online shows that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA -- commonly found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements -- are as effective, if not more effective, in lowering blood pressure as some of the commonly recommended lifestyle changes like increasing physical activity and restricting alcohol and sodium intake. The findings, released by the American Journal of Hypertension, are good news, especially for those with elevated blood pressure -- estimated to be approximately 60% of the U.S. adult population.
“Results from this study build on a wealth of prior data indicating that EPA+DHA intake reduced the risk of cardiovascular events," said Adam Ismail, executive director of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED). “It is now well-established that EPA and DHA reduce triglycerides and blood pressure and even highly critical meta-analyses have found that they reduce cardiac death risk by 9%."