Omega 3

Omega 3 by: grahamz

Omega 3

Omega 3 Reduce Inflammation And Help Chronic Diseases

Omega 3(Omega-3) is also known as Fatty Acids. Omega-3, derived from ALA (alpha-linolenic
acid) is described as essential as, like vitamins, it must be obtained from
diet. According to the human nutrition, the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic
acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are considered much more valuable as these
are the forms the body requires.

Humans are able to synthesise EPA and DHA from dietary ALA, but in practice this
process is inefficient. Scientists have therefore accomplished that EPA and DHA
should be obtained from diet. Oil-rich fish and supplements such as fish oil and
cod liver oil are the richest and most eagerly available sources. Other sources
such as krill and fortified everyday foods like bread and fruit juices are in
production in a slight way in various parts of the world.

Extensive research indicates that
Omega 3 fatty acids are considered essential
fatty acids, which means that they are essential to human health but cannot be
manufactured by the body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained
from food. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish and certain plant oils. It
is important to maintain an appropriate balance of omega-3 and omega-6 (another
essential fatty acid) in the diet as these two substances work together to
promote health. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal
growth and development. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent
certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. These essential
fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly
important for cognitive and behavioral function. In fact, infants who do not get
enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for
developing vision and nerve problems.

Omega 3 Benefits:

• Omega 3 fatty acid can also be used for the treatment, control, and improvement
  of depression.


• Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic
  diseases
  
• Omega 3 group showed improvement of depression compared to the olive oil.


• Omega 3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation.
  
• Omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful in treating a variety of conditions.


• Omega 3 help protect us from an array of illnesses including Alzheimer''s
  disease.
  
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements dramatically reduce the risk of death.
  
• Omega 3 fatty acids may also act as an anticoagulant to prevent blood from
  clotting.


• Omega-3 fatty acids offer protection against cardiovascular disease.
  Omega 3 Precautions:
  
  Dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a
  knowledgeable healthcare provider.
  
  Omega 3 Dosage:
  
  As a dietary supplement, take one tablespoon (15 ml) 1 to 2 times daily,
  preferably with meals. For best results, take 1-1/2 tablespoons per 100 lbs. of
  body weight daily with meals.
  
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Heart Health

Coronary Artery Disease -What You Need to Know by: Blubert Tavedorn

Coronary Artery Disease is commonly known as Heart Disease or Atherosclerosis. In coronary artery disease, plaque builds up inside the arteries. These plaques are formed by fats and cause the arteries to harden. The deposits are made of fat that came from the food that we eat. These fat deposits narrow the arteries and impede circulation. The narrowing of the arteries also causes high blood pressure because the body tries to compensate for the inadequate supply of blood throughout the system.

Fat deposits in arteries are very dangerous. Aside from the fact that these arteries should not be present in the arteries, these deposits also cause a disturbance in the heart's normal functioning. The blood vessels with fat deposits are narrowed. It also causes hardening that inhibits the normal elastic function of the vessels. It causes decreased blood flow to the heart which results in chest pain called angina.

Angina occurs when the heart doesn't have enough supply of oxygen for it to function properly. The heart muscles need oxygen for them to function because it is necessary for the energy formation of muscles that it uses for working. Without adequate energy, muscles will fail to work. Angina is described as a painful squeezing feeling in the chest that is also felt in the jaws, extremities and the back.

A heart attack occurs after angina. The heart ceases to function because its muscles did not receive much oxygen. Certain muscles in the heart have died because of the inadequate supply of oxygen and therefore the remaining muscles have to compensate for the loss. Compensation gives extra workload and fatigue, causing it to stop.

There are a lot of factors that cause coronary heart disease. One of them is a major risk factor that can't be avoided and that is family history. If your family is known to have coronary heart disease, then you will likely also have the condition. Little is known about this theory but it is very consistent among patients with coronary heart disease.

If you are living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle, it is now time to change your ways and to do some serious physical work. A sedentary lifestyle will increase your risk of developing heart disease because without physical activities, your heart muscles will become flabby and weak. You need to do some simple exercises to tone your heart muscles and make it strong.

Obesity also increases the chance of having heart disease. Fat is a major contributory factor for the development of heart disease and people who are obese or overweight have a lot of fat stored in their bodies. These fats need to be burned down to lose weight and prevent having serious complications such as heart disease.

All in all, heart disease is caused by living an inappropriate lifestyle. Keep in mind that no matter how rich you are, it is not an excuse for you not to work. Exercise should also be a regular habit so that your muscles will be tougher and can reach their optimum functioning.

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Heart, Cardiology

After A Stroke: The First Days To Weeks by: Stephanie Trelogan

After a patient moves from the ER to the hospital, doctors will deal with any complications and help prevent future strokes. Here's what to expect during his hospital stay, and how to prepare for his care and recovery after he gets out.

Once a patient's stroke has been evaluated and his condition has been stabilized, he'll be transferred out of the ER and into a hospital bed. How long he spends in the hospital depends on a number of factors, including the type and severity of his stroke, what medical complications arise, and the extent of his disability. But it's unlikely that he'll be in the hospital for long. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average length of hospitalization for stroke in 2005 was 5.2 days.

Even though the person you're caring for is out of the ER, serious complications may still arise. An estimated one out of five stroke patients dies during his hospital stay.

The patient's treatment team has two main goals: To prevent another stroke from occurring and to minimize and respond to any complications.

To this end, the person you're caring for will undergo more testing to determine the cause of this stroke. Although the doctors should know what type of stroke he had, they'll still need to pinpoint the exact cause. They may perform one or more of the following tests:

• Carotid ultrasound to determine if either carotid artery is narrowed or blocked. This test is noninvasive and painless: A technician applies jelly to the patient's neck, then slides an ultrasound wand over the skin covering his carotid artery.
  
• Transcranial Doppler test for blockages in the large brain arteries. This test is similar to the carotid ultrasound, although the sound waves go through the patient's skull instead of his neck.
  
• Cerebral angiogram to look for atherosclerosis or a brain aneurysm. The patient will be sedated to minimize his anxiety and discomfort during this procedure. A long, thin catheter, or tube, is inserted into a large artery in his groin, then maneuvered all the way through blood vessels into his chest. Once the tube reaches his carotid artery, dye is injected, which travels through the artery into the brain. Then a series of X-rays is taken to spot any abnormalities in the blood vessels of the brain. Because this procedure carries a slight risk of causing another stroke, it will be performed only if other tests are inconclusive.

Depending on the patient's test results, his doctors will treat him to reduce his risk of having another stroke:

• For an ischemic stroke, he may be given anticlotting drugs, have a procedure known as a carotid endarectomy, or both.
  
• For a hemorrhagic stroke, he may need to have a torn brain artery or aneurysm repaired, both of which require major surgery.
  
• No matter what type of stroke he had, risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes will be evaluated and treated.
  
• Complications could include brain swelling, seizures, clots in his legs, aspiration due to difficulty swallowing, arrhythmias, bleeding stomach ulcers, and pressure sores. The patient's doctors will be on the lookout for these serious and potentially fatal complications.

The patient's hospital stay may be even more stressful for you than his stroke and time in the ER. Now that you're no longer in crisis mode, you have more time to think -- and worry -- about the future. But try to use that time to prepare for life after his discharge instead:

• Figure out how much care he will need. The extent of his stroke-related disability may not be immediately obvious, but it will become clearer as his recovery progresses. Talk to his rehabilitation team about how much care he'll need immediately after discharge, then discuss options for his care with his family or friends. Will he be able to return to his own home or to a family member's home? Or will he need more short-term or long-term attention and care? For more information about this decision-making process, see difficult work of recovery
  
  Resources:
  

• First Days After Stroke
  
• Short Hospital Stay After Emergency Room
  
  About the Author

Stephanie Trelogan is Senior Editor of the Heart, Stroke, and Depression channels. Older people in Stephanie's family have coped with a variety of stroke- and heart-related conditions, and several family membersincluding Stephaniehave struggled with depression.
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