A Heart Smart Strategy

The Cardiovascular Benefits of Fish Oil PLUS Aged Garlic Extract

According to evolving research, adding Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) to your fish oil supplement is an easy and effective way to level up your heart smart strategy.^2,3 Let’s take a closer look at how these nutrients work in tandem to improve your cardiovascular health.

Fish Oil Facts

Traditional fish oil supplements come from several sources, including salmon, sardines, and anchovies. The resulting oil contains two important omega-3s:  docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA and EPA produce powerful molecules known as “resolvins,” which are aptly named for their ability to resolve inflammation.⁴ In one study, men who took a DHA supplement for 6-12 weeks experienced a 20 percent decrease in several inflammatory markers.⁵  This matters since inflammation plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque inside arteries that causes them to narrow and stiffen. Over time, atherosclerosis can increase your risk of heart attack, heart failure, or angina (chest pain).⁶

Other research shows that these omega-3s reduce triglycerides by up to 50 percent, lower oxidative stress, and discourage platelets from sticking together inside arteries.^7,8,9 To read more about the difference between Omega 3 vs Omega 6, and the benefits of each, click here. There is also evidence that fish oil lowers blood pressure. In one analysis of 70 clinical trials, supplementing with fish oil significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.¹⁰  But fish oil’s cardiovascular benefits don’t stop there. In a recent study, high doses of fish oil improved patients’ heart function and reduced heart scarring in patients who had recently suffered a heart attack.¹¹ If you are interested in reading more about AGE and fish oil, and how they are different, click here.

AGE’s Artery-Boosting Actions

Garlic has been used for centuries as a natural way to enhance health. But, when it comes to the heart,  aging is the real key to unlocking garlic’s cardiovascular benefits. AGE is created by naturally aging organic garlic in special stainless steel tanks under carefully controlled conditions for up to 20 months. As it ages, the harsh and unstable organosulfur compounds in garlic are transformed into beneficial, compounds such as the heart healthy antioxidant S-allyl cysteine.¹² To read more about the heart health benefits of AGE, click here.

One 12-week clinical study of 88 patients with uncontrolled hypertension found that AGE reduced systolic blood pressure by 11.5 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 6.3 mmHg compared to a placebo.¹³ This same study discovered that AGE improved cholesterol levels and arterial stiffness while also reducing artery-damaging inflammation. A more recent review of 12 clinical trials reported similar results and noted that this AGE-induced reduction in blood pressure was associated with a 16 to 40 percent drop in the risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event.¹⁴

But blood pressure is only the beginning of AGE’s cardiovascular benefits. According to other studies, AGE can also lower total cholesterol by 7 percent and LDL (bad) cholesterol by 10 percent, reduces the buildup of low attenuation (soft) plaque in coronary arteries, prevents platelets from sticking together, and halts the progression of dangerous coronary artery calcification.^{15,16,17,18,19}  These factors can decrease blood flow and reduce arterial flexibility, boosting the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Better Together!

As you can see, fish oil and AGE can reduce the multiple risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular disease. What’s more, each nutrient fills in the gaps left by the other to provide a comprehensive supplement strategy for better heart health. Paired with a heart-smart diet and regular exercise, these two nutrients can up your cardiovascular game every day.

CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS OF FISH OIL & AGED GARLIC EXTRACT

References

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3. Morcos, N.C. Modulation of lipid profile by fish oil and garlic combination. Journal of the National Medical Association.1997;89(10):673-678.
4. Capo X, Marorell M, Busquets-Cortés C, et al. Resolvins as pro-resolving inflammatory mediators in cardiovascular disease. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2018;153:123-130.
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6. Arterioslerosis/Atherosclerosis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350569
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22. Innes JK & Calder PC. The differential effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018;19(2):532.
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This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.