Cardiologist Rokas Šerpytis explains which foods are important for heart health
Much is said about the benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for children and adults. Fish oil is recommended for children from an early age. However, Rokas Šerpytis, a cardiologist at the Cardiology Center of VUL Santaros Clinics, says that omega-3 must first be obtained through food, and supplements should only be used to replenish resources, according to a press release.
Products that protect against cardiovascular diseases
"It has been found that in areas where people eat a lot of marine fish, cardiovascular diseases are rare. This was first observed in Greenland, where people consume a lot of fatty marine fish. It was found that these fish are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Studies also showed that for people who eat such fish at least once a week, the risk of coronary heart disease decreases by 16 percent. And if they eat it 2–4 times a week, the risk of stroke also significantly decreases. However, when examining only the impact of omega-3 supplements on overall mortality, such an effect has not yet been established," says cardiologist R. Šerpytis.
The cardiologist explains this by stating that if only one pure beneficial substance is consumed without its "friends" present in food, this substance is simply not absorbed or is absorbed less effectively.
Therefore, according to him, every person, including children, should eat plenty of food rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: fatty marine fish, seeds, nuts, and supplements can be taken alongside – thus supplementing any potential deficiency of this substance. According to the doctor, beneficial fatty fish include salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel, cod, herring, etc.
"Considering that we live in Lithuania, where we don't have the best chances of getting organically grown, high-quality salmon, bio-tuna or good quality oysters, supplements can be a rational solution to replenish omega-3 reserves with omega-3 food supplements. However, as I mentioned, this cannot replace food products," says R. Šerpytis.
Omega-3 is essential for children daily
The cardiologist reminds that children should receive omega-3 rich food daily, as it is essential for their memory, thinking, vision, metabolic processes, brain and heart health, and inflammation prevention. "The most important thing is that the diet is balanced – it is really important for children to eat fish, and fish oil or other omega-3 supplements for children can be included in the diet additionally. Fish oil alone will not satisfy the true need," says the doctor. He also adds that children need omega-3 supplements specifically adapted for them.
Contributes to longevity
According to R. Šerpytis, omega-3 rich food is particularly important for adults because it helps protect against chronic inflammation, so people with the required amount of these polyunsaturated fatty acids in their bodies can achieve a longer lifespan.
"Omega-3 reduces inflammation, and the risk of inflammatory, chronic diseases, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. One observational study, which followed people for 11 years – measuring omega-3 levels in erythrocytes – found that those with the highest omega-3 concentration in their blood lived up to 5 years longer than those with the lowest indicators," says the cardiologist.
According to the doctor, current international, European and American guidelines recommend omega-3 supplements for people with high triglyceride levels in their blood.
"Triglycerides are substances that store fats in the human body. When we talk about coronary heart disease and cholesterol, we look at the so-called 'bad' cholesterol, whose increase means that a person has a higher chance of developing a very dangerous cardiovascular disease.
If triglycerides are also sharply increased in the blood, this is also a factor of similar significance. The aforementioned guidelines state that if triglyceride levels are increased, especially for secondary prevention, when people have had a myocardial infarction, or have significant coronary heart disease, they are first recommended to take cholesterol-lowering medications, and if triglycerides cannot be reduced to the required norm with them, then omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are prescribed additionally," says the cardiologist.
He also adds that in such cases, patients are prescribed a large dose of omega-3 – 4g. For comparison, supplements usually contain 1 gram of this substance.
The doctor also says that liquid forms of substances in supplements are usually better absorbed.
