A typical question that patients ask after seeing their lipid profile report at the clinic is, "Doctor, can I take Omega 3 capsules or Fish Oil capsules for high cholesterol?"

Take a look at Omega 3 in more detail.

Doctors are frequently asked this question by patients. What is Omega 3 and should we buy it from the pharmacy?

They are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that play an important role in the human diet and physiology. There are 3 types of Omega 3 fatty acids

1. α-linolenic acid (ALA)
2. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
3. docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Marine oils like cod liver oil and fish oil contain EPA and DHA, whereas plant oil contains ALA.

Omega 3 is beneficial to the human body, but what are the benefits?

There may be a slight increase in HDL with omega-3 fatty acids and a decrease or reduction in LDL with them

The symptoms are similar to those of the flu: fever, headache, blocked nose, nausea, mouth breathing, sore throat (you may have tonsillitis) and a general sense of feeling ‘out of sorts’. The patient may be aware of having swollen, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, armpits and groin. Less common symptoms include a rash and jaundice.

What is Omega 3?

The best way to diagnose the illness is for a blood test to be done. The blood smear also shows abnormal cells(called monocytes) under the microscope, hence the name mononucleosis.

• Blood pressure
• Triglycerides (Bad cholesterol in the body)
• Development of plaque in the arteries
• Chance of abnormal heart rhythm
• Heart attack and stroke
• Sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease
• Anxiety and depression
• Pain associated with arthritis and migraine

Apparently, Omega 3 can reduce bad cholesterol for you, but is it necessary to consume the commercially available Omega 3 products to achieve this purpose? Well, that isn't the case. Our bad cholesterol can be reduced in many ways. Lifestyle modifications are a good way to lower bad cholesterol. It is always possible to reduce bad cholesterol by following a balanced diet and becoming more physically active. The majority of our patients who come into our office for a routine checkup have high cholesterol. Our recommendation was for them to modify their lifestyle and repeat the lipid profile in 3 months. It is possible for patients to achieve a normal lipid profile without any medications. Not all patients are eligible for it. It depends on the lipid profile of the individual. Maybe you should meet your doctor and let him/her decide whether Omega 3 should be added to your prescription?

Are there any signs and symptoms of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is usually not accompanied by any symptoms. Nevertheless, if we don't treat it immediately, either with lifestyle changes or, if needed, with drugs, patients may experience emergency events. Cholesterol levels over the recommended levels can cause heart attacks and strokes. The doctor may tell you to have your cholesterol levels checked more often if you come from a family with high cholesterol. Your doctor may ask you to have regular cholesterol checks if you have risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and smoking.

It is therefore always recommended that you visit your doctor for routine checkups.

Omega-3s are found in what foods?

Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally found in some foods, and others are fortified with them. Here is a list of foods that contain a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

Salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel and sardines, Flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and other vegetable oils, flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts.

Which is better, cod liver oil or fish oil?

Both are fine. EPA, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D are found in high concentrations in cod liver oil.

DHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by our bodies

Does my doctor have to prescribe me cholesterol tablets?

Following your doctor's instructions is recommended. An expert in general medicine or cardiology can, however, give you a second opinion. You should let your doctor decide what prescription you need.

"It is always recommended to have a body checkup by your doctor on a regular basis. The best cure is prevention." - Dr. Sanober Abdul Gaffar, DRHC