OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Good Cholesterol
Question: I saw recently that salmon and eggs supply omega-3 oils, or "good cholesterol." What does this mean?
Answer: Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids naturally found in certain kinds of fish and fish oils. Fish that are known to contain these omega-3 fatty acids are deep-sea oily fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines, herring, and tuna.
Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the stickiness of blood platelets. This may reduce blocked blood vessels and protect against heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths. Omega-3 fatty acids may also improve diseases like rheumatoid arthritis in the way that they boost the immune system. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also lower certain components of your cholesterol level, including triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels, and may also help to lower high blood pressure.
Omega-3 fatty acids are not usually found in commercially produced eggs that you can purchase at the grocery store. But there are eggs that are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (when fish oils are added to the feed given to egg-laying hens).
If you have more questions about your diet, talk to your doctor.
