Omega-3s May Prevent High Blood Pressure

Published on July 31, 2019

The American Heart Association estimates that approximately half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure. In a previous post, we discussed the average blood pressure levels reported by GrassrootsHealth participants. Nearly 40% of participants who knew their blood pressure reported having a normal blood pressure level, on average.

Research shows higher Omega-3 Index is correlated with lower blood pressure

Several studies have shown a positive correlation between omega-3s and blood pressure. A review published in the American Journal of Hypertension found the following:

“The results from our analysis demonstrate that EPA+DHA are as effective, and in some cases more effective, than other lifestyle-related interventions, including increasing physical activity and restricting alcohol and sodium, for lowering BP among hypertensive populations not taking antihypertensive medication.”

A more recent study by Filipovic et al. compared the Omega-3 Index to blood pressure among 2036 healthy, young adults with normal blood pressures and found a significant inverse relationship, where those with the highest Omega-3 Index had the lowest blood pressure. The effect was seen with both systolic and diastolic measurements.

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Both this study and the review mentioned above support the evidence that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids could be a safe, effective primary intervention for the prevention of high blood pressure.

Is your Omega-3 Index in a range to support healthy blood pressure?

Make sure you know your Omega-3 Index, and level of vitamin D! Testing these levels and taking daily steps to keep your Omega-3 Index at a target of at least 8%, and your vitamin D at a target level of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L), is important for all stages of health. Find out your levels today! Log on to the shop (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your levels can be improved.

Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!

How can I track my omega-3 intake and index?

To help you track your supplement use, dietary nutrient intake, and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each specific supplement, you can track what days you take it, how much, and many other details. You can also track your omega-3 intake from dietary sources. Check it out today!

How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!

STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health

STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study

STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there

STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)

Enroll in D*action and Build Your Custom Test Kit!