Combo of Fish Oil and Statins Protects Heart

I read this today and now I can't remember what newsletter I belong to sent it to give them credit, but the study is mentioned in the quotes and parentheses.

"Combo of Fish Oil and Statins Protects Heart
Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Many health-conscious individuals take fish oil supplements to reduce their risk of heart disease, while those most vulnerable are known to receive prescriptions for statin drugs to help lower cholesterol. Which preventative health measure offers the better heart health boost? A new study suggests that both in combination may be better than either alone. According to the study, which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, patients who combine daily fish oil supplementation with their prescription for statins can reduce their risk of suffering adverse heart events by nearly 20%, significantly better than the improvement among patients who took only statins or fish oil alone. The study was conducted by Japanese researchers at Kobe University School of Medicine."

It did not say how much fish oil you should take. Anyone have a clue?

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Hi Deltacece. I'm sorry to hear that you are having these problems. You are so young. I don't know that much about statins, although I should. So I have to ask why you can't take the statins. You are very young to be going through all this stuff! Hugs, Kathy

Deltacece,

There are many other options than statins for lowering LDL, raising your HDL, reducing triglycerides, etc. I too have poor heart genetics and have three stents to prove it. But you can take powerful steps to make sure these bad genes no longer express themselves as I have done. Fish oil is one (in the correct doses), it has an especially powerful effect on triglycerides and LDL particle size. There are also supplements and foods like oat bran, psyllium, olive oil, l-arginine, etc that can taken in total almost a big an improvment as statin use. The total exclusion of refined carbs and processed food can do wonders for lipids. It has for me. I never go hungry and eat like a king...just not at McDonalds like I used to.

You can also try niacin, non-statin prescription drugs like Zetia or the fibrate class of drugs that were in use long before statins were thought up. They worked then, they still are available and work now.

If you CAD is progressing you need to fight it. The information is out there, in books and in the internet.

OneWayPockets

Hi Kathlyn,

It probably depends on your bloodwork and how far things are out of whack. Everyone is quite different. I take 4 standard strength Costco fish oil capsules a day, two in the morning, two at night. This is all I needed though in the fish oil dept, I have heard of other people having to take more. In one of the books the author mentions that people too often take just one fish oil capsule, that is not enough to do anything at all. There are other supplements as well.

The best book I have found on the subject is "Track Your Plaque" by Dr. William Davis. This cardiologist covers the correct diet, supplements, prescription drugs, and how to get all your lipoproteins in order to halt the progression of CAD as observed on a fast slice CT scan. He also updates information at his web site with the latest stuff. Other good books are "Before The Heart Attacks" by Dr. Superko, and "The Cardiovascular Cure" by Dr. Cooke. Three years ago my LDL was LDL 173, HDL 43, Tri 177. My levels now are LDL 49, HDL 61, Tri 53 through the use of diet, supplements, weight loss, exercise, and some prescription drugs.

Best of luck,

OWP

Hi Deltacece,

I certainly agree everyone is different, and responds differently to prescripton drugs and supplements.
Also agree that your cardiologist should discuss any supplements with you first, your condition is much different than mine. Keep up the fight and let us know what the cardiologist has to say...

OWP

Thank you for the advice, pockets. And I also want to welcome you. I have never used supplements and had no idea about how to find out about the amount. I'll go check out his website and the book!