Omega-3 oils, which have been somewhat of a buzz-word the last few years, do in fact appear to improve health and survival in those with heart disease. Omega-3 fats have also been found to ward off heart disease in the first place. Researchers aren't exactly sure how and why omega-3s protect your heart, but a new study does provide some clues to this mystery.
It's all about reversing a cell's age
In trying to find the link between a healthy heart and omega 3 oils, the researchers studied the length of 'telomeres'. Telomeres coat both ends of each strand of DNA, they're a bit like the plastic ends of shoelaces, which stop the lace from unwinding.
Researchers have found that the length of a telomere is one way to measure the age of cell. This is because, as the cell ages the telomere shrink, they become shorter. So the shorter the length of the telomere the older the cell is. And when the telomere shrinks so much that it can no longer protect the ends of the DNA from damage, the cell enters into a 'resting phase' or simply dies, it's then replaced by a new cell.
Omega 3 oils means younger cells?
The study, looked at 608 people with stable heart disease. Researchers measured the subjects' white blood cell telomere length at the start of the study and again five years later. At the same time they also measured omega-3 blood levels too.
The conclusions of the study were very interesting. It found that those with the highest blood levels of omega-3 oils at the beginning of the study had the slowest rates of telomere shrinkage during the 5 year test period. This contrasted with those subjects who had low levels of omega-3, who experienced much faster rates of telomere shrinkage.
This study indicates that there maybe a roll that omega-3 oils have in protecting our cells from ageing. And perhaps this is one of the reasons why our omega-3 oils are so good for the heart in keeping it healthy, even in those who have some levels of heart disease. Like the results of all studies, more research is still needed in this field.
Omega-3, are you taking enough?
Did you know that these healthy Omega-3 oils, may also lower the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
There are many excellent food sources for omega-3 oils, these include linseeds, olive oil, spirulina, chia seeds, wheatgrass powder, and walnuts too. By making a small addition to our diet, we can all make sure we're getting enough omega-3.
It's all about reversing a cell's age
In trying to find the link between a healthy heart and omega 3 oils, the researchers studied the length of 'telomeres'. Telomeres coat both ends of each strand of DNA, they're a bit like the plastic ends of shoelaces, which stop the lace from unwinding.
Researchers have found that the length of a telomere is one way to measure the age of cell. This is because, as the cell ages the telomere shrink, they become shorter. So the shorter the length of the telomere the older the cell is. And when the telomere shrinks so much that it can no longer protect the ends of the DNA from damage, the cell enters into a 'resting phase' or simply dies, it's then replaced by a new cell.
Omega 3 oils means younger cells?
The study, looked at 608 people with stable heart disease. Researchers measured the subjects' white blood cell telomere length at the start of the study and again five years later. At the same time they also measured omega-3 blood levels too.
The conclusions of the study were very interesting. It found that those with the highest blood levels of omega-3 oils at the beginning of the study had the slowest rates of telomere shrinkage during the 5 year test period. This contrasted with those subjects who had low levels of omega-3, who experienced much faster rates of telomere shrinkage.
This study indicates that there maybe a roll that omega-3 oils have in protecting our cells from ageing. And perhaps this is one of the reasons why our omega-3 oils are so good for the heart in keeping it healthy, even in those who have some levels of heart disease. Like the results of all studies, more research is still needed in this field.
Omega-3, are you taking enough?
Did you know that these healthy Omega-3 oils, may also lower the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
There are many excellent food sources for omega-3 oils, these include linseeds, olive oil, spirulina, chia seeds, wheatgrass powder, and walnuts too. By making a small addition to our diet, we can all make sure we're getting enough omega-3.
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