The "Molecule" That Predicts A Healthy Heart

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce harmful molecules that can lead to heart disease.

sICAM-1, or soluble adhesion molecule-1, is one type of molecule found in your body that can be a good indicator of your risk for the development of heart disease.

It is a very reliable marker for chronic inflammation caused by injury or damage to platelets and the cells in your veins and arteries (endothelium).

This is important because chronic inflammation has been shown to be the first stage in the development of many different diseases.

Typically higher blood levels of sICAM-1 molecules can show the severity of the chronic inflammation, or even the prognosis for the treatment of that inflammation.

sICAM1 molecules are typically higher in cases of cardiovascular disease due to damage caused to the endothelium.

When there is an increase in sICAM1 molecules on vascular walls, this could be the first sign of plaque development on those cell walls.

In fact, increased levels of these molecules may have the ability to increase lipids (cholesterol) in your blood, which could further increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.

However, research shows that sICAM1 molecules can also be found in cancer, neoplastic diseases, and when there is connective tissue damage and not just heart disease.

Now, new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that omega-3 fatty acids may positively impact levels of sICAM1 molecules, therefore potentially reducing your risk for heart disease.

Let me explain…

Omega-3 and sICAM-1 Molecules

Researchers wanted to better understand the role of omega-3 fatty acids and how they impact sICAM-1 molecules.

They performed a meta-analysis (collection of different studies related to their topic) on current research to better understand the mechanism for how omega-3’s are beneficial to heart health.

Their research included 18 different studies collected from different research databases, in which all studies included omega-3 fatty acids and sICAM1 molecules.

They noticed that throughout all the studies, omega-3 fatty acids decreased sICAM-1 molecule levels in the blood.

In fact, they found that both healthy individuals (free from heart disease) and people with altered lipid profiles (dyslipidemia), had reduced levels of sICAM-1 molecules when supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids.

They concluded that supplementing omega-3 fatty acids can reduce levels of sICAM-1 molecules in your blood.

Plus, they also concluded that omega-3 supplementation could be used as a primary or secondary treatment method in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have been used as a way to promote heart health, improve depression and cognitive symptoms, and even improve eye health.

Now, research shows, that omega-3 fatty acids have tremendous benefits for reducing inflammatory blood markers (called sICAM-1 molecules) in relation to cardiovascular disease.

This may provide a new method of treatment for cardiovascular disease by reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and now reducing adhesion molecules found in your blood.


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References:

Yang, Y.  Lu, N.  Chen, D.  Meng, L.  Zheng, Y.  Hui, R.  Effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on plasma soluble adhesion molecules: a meta –analysis of randomized controlled trials.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2012.  doi: 10.3945/acjn.111.025924.