Scientists have never stopped digging for the health benefits of these omega-3 fatty acids and every day newer research, continue to reveal the additional benefits of consuming Omega-3s. One of the most recent research has shown that a steady consumption of omega-3s reduces a person's risk of heart disease.  Presently, heart disease accounts for no less than half of the cardiovascular deaths in the United States. Previous research projects on the topic showed that the consumption of fish significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues, but until recently, it had remained unclear if these benefits were given by fish as a whole or the Omega-3s contained in the fish.

A recent meta-analysis which studied over 900,000 participants has shown strong evidence of the connection between omega-3 intake and the prevention of heart disease. The study looked specifically at the association between heart disease and EPA/DHA intake. It research examined the effects of omega-3s specifically upon just heart disease and coronary issues.

The researchers, after analyzing their findings established that Omega-3 intake can indeed reduce the rate of heart diseases. In their words, “from a clinical perspective, our results indicate that EPA+DHA may be associated with reducing CHD risk to a greater extent in populations with elevated triglyceride levels or LDL cholesterol.”

NaturalHealth360 has summarised the findings of the research as follows:

1. Omega-3 Intake Can Reduce Heart Disease Risk by 18 Percent or More

The research, which examined 16 prospective cohort studies and 18 randomized controlled trials found a 6 to 18 percent decrease in the risk for any type of coronary heart disease-related episode, fatal or non-fatal, in those who consumed omega 3 fatty acids. This result shows the importance of getting omega-3 benefits in the form of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The reduction in the risk for coronary heart disease-related problems was even more significant among the most high-risk persons studied in the prospective cohort studies. The most prominent link was related to sudden cardiac death, which researchers found to be as much as 47 percent reduced in those who regularly consumed omega 3 fatty acids.

2. Omega-3 can help those suffering from excessive amounts of cholesterol

The research also revealed that subjects with high levels of triglyceride taking omega-3s a 16 percent reduction in risk for coronary heart disease. Those with elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol recorded a 14 percent lowered risk of heart disease higher than those who were not given DHA and EPA. A higher consumption rate of DHA and EPA was associated with as much as an 18 percent lowered risk of coronary heart disease in some groups in contrast with those administered lower volumes of these compounds.

Common sources of omega-3s include: Fish and other this includes salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines and Cod-liver oil obtained from codfish. Plant oils such as canola or soybean oil and nuts and seeds such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts are also popular sources of omega-3s.