There’s good research behind the calanus oil (and its effect on heart health) in Ruby Red Oil. Tolu Ajiboye takes us through what we know–and why taking the supplement on a regular basis yields the best results.
Coronary heart disease is one of the most common conditions in the world, and it is the leading cause of death–killing about 7.2 million people worldwide every year1. It is also the main cause of heart failure and many other heart complications.
Studies have shown Calanus Oil to be very beneficial in preventing coronary heart disease and promoting heart health in general. This is largely due to the fact that it contains high amounts of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3 fatty acids).
However, in order to properly understand the mechanisms by which Calanus Oil prevents coronary heart disease, we must first understand the condition, how it develops and its complications.
What is Coronary Heart Disease?
Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked or damaged. And long-term plaque build-up (known as atherosclerosis) in the artery walls is the most common cause of it. The disease progresses when this plaque prevents oxygen-filled blood to pass freely through the arteries. This plaque can also rupture and form a blood clot which can then completely block the flow of blood through that artery.
If coronary heart disease isn’t treated, it can lead to complications like heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmia, all of which have very serious implications on one’s health.
How Calanus Oil lowers your risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Calanus Oil is rich in omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids- fatty acids on which extensive research have been done and have been found to lower a person’s risk of developing coronary heart disease and heart failure.
Calanus Oil does this by attacking three major factors that cause or contribute to the development of coronary heart disease and eventual heart failure:
- High Blood Pressure
- Atherosclerosis
- High Triglyceride Levels
How does Calanus Oil prevent and treat high blood pressure?
When your blood pressure is too high and uncontrolled, coronary heart disease may develop. How it happens is that the extra force that the high blood pressure is exerting on your arteries can make them weaker and more susceptible to the narrowing and plaque build-up that comes with atherosclerosis.
Coronary heart disease often leads to heart failure, but hypertension can also cause this heart failure directly. The constant strain your heart muscle endures from the high blood pressure can weaken it, make it function less well, and eventually fail.
There’s a particular hormone called angiotensin II made by the renin-angiotensin system (the body system responsible for regulating blood pressure). The hormone causes the blood vessels to narrow and this, in turn, raises your blood pressure. Studies have shown that Calanus oil works to lower the blood pressure by diminishing the inflammation that angiotensin II causes in the blood vessels.
Other studies have also shown that marine oils rich in omega 3 PUFAs generally reduce (to varying degrees) both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people who consume them, regardless of whether they were already hypertensive or not2.
How does Calanus Oil prevent and treat atherosclerosis?
Even though you may think you’re living a heart-healthy lifestyle, your body isn’t always getting what it needs. That’s why you should consider the following research-based lifestyle changes to enhance your overall heart health:
Atherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque (fats, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances) in the walls of the arteries that supply oxygen-filled blood to the heart. This build-up of plaque is the most common cause of coronary heart disease as it narrows down the arteries, therefore impeding and slowing the flow of blood to the heart.
Studies of calamus oil supplementation involving mice showed that calamus oil is effective at preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the walls of arteries3.
Further, human studies on omega 3 fatty acids as a whole have shown that their consumption can slow down and inhibit the formation of plaque in the arteries because of their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
How does Calanus Oil reduce triglyceride levels?
Some studies have shown that omega 3 rich oils have the ability to lower triglyceride levels in the body. One study, in particular, reported by the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, showed that taking daily supplements of 1/g of omega 3 fatty acids “(containing 850–882 mg EPA and DHA) for 3.5 years significantly reduced triglyceride levels.”6
Maintaining good heart health and lowering your risk of developing coronary heart disease requires a holistic approach. Physical activity, managing stress levels, and maintaining a healthy weight are some of the factors that can contribute to this goal, and so is supplementing your diet with omega 3 rich oils like Calanus Oil.
References
- https://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/en/cvd_atlas_14_deathHD.pdf?ua=1
- Miller P, Van Elswyk M, Alexander D. Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid and Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Hypertens. 2014;27(7):885-896. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpu024
- Eilertsen K, Mæhre H, Jensen I et al. A Wax Ester and Astaxanthin-Rich Extract from the Marine Copepod Calanus finmarchicus Attenuates Atherogenesis in Female Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice. J Nutr. 2012;142(3):508-512. doi:10.3945/jn.111.145698
- National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
- Yagi S, Fukuda D, Aihara K, Akaike M, Shimabukuro M, Sata M. n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Promising Nutrients for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2017;24(10):999-1010. doi:10.5551/jat.rv17013
- National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
