Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids may improve the function of blood vessels and support vascular health.
The heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids have been explored by numerous scientific studies, with data suggesting that such polyunsaturated fatty acids help to improve blood lipid levels, reduce thrombosis risk and blood pressure, and improve heart rate. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (China) completed a meta-analysis of 16 published studies, involving 901 study subjects. The team observed that daily supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids for an average of 56 days associated with a 2.3% improvement in flow-mediated dilation, a measure of the ability of blood vessels to relax. No effects were observed for endothelium-in dependent vasodilation, suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids directly benefit the cells lining the blood vessels.
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Qianqian Wang, Xiaohua Liang, Laiyuan Wang, Xiangfeng Lu, et al. “Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on endothelial function: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Atherosclerosis Vol. 221, Issue 2, Pages 536-543.