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.
Turning back 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.
The length of a telomere's a good base line to measure a cells age. The older the cell, the shorter the telomere becomes. And it's when the telomere shrinks, becoming too small to protect the DNA ends from being damaged. The cell starts to die, and this leads to it being replaced by newer cells.
Omega-3 fats leads to younger cells?
This study took 608 people with a heart condition that was stable. The researchers simply measured the telomere length of the white blood cells for each of the study participants, once at the start of the study and then again and the end, which was five years later. The researchers also noted the levels omega-3 fats in the blood too.
The results of the study found that the subjects with the highest omega-3 fat levels at the start of the study had the slowest rate of telomere shortening over the five years. Whereas the telomere of the subjects with low levels of omega-3 oils, became shorter much more quickly.
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.
Are you getting enough omega-3?
Omega-3 fats could also lower the risks of other chronic conditions including cancer.
Super foods are an excellent source of Omega-3 oils, including spirulina, chia seeds, wheatgrass powder, bee pollen, barley grass powder. They're easy to add to your diet so you can make sure you're getting enough omega-3. Other food sources include walnuts, linseeds, olive and rape seed oil, and other nuts and seeds.
Turning back 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.
The length of a telomere's a good base line to measure a cells age. The older the cell, the shorter the telomere becomes. And it's when the telomere shrinks, becoming too small to protect the DNA ends from being damaged. The cell starts to die, and this leads to it being replaced by newer cells.
Omega-3 fats leads to younger cells?
This study took 608 people with a heart condition that was stable. The researchers simply measured the telomere length of the white blood cells for each of the study participants, once at the start of the study and then again and the end, which was five years later. The researchers also noted the levels omega-3 fats in the blood too.
The results of the study found that the subjects with the highest omega-3 fat levels at the start of the study had the slowest rate of telomere shortening over the five years. Whereas the telomere of the subjects with low levels of omega-3 oils, became shorter much more quickly.
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.
Are you getting enough omega-3?
Omega-3 fats could also lower the risks of other chronic conditions including cancer.
Super foods are an excellent source of Omega-3 oils, including spirulina, chia seeds, wheatgrass powder, bee pollen, barley grass powder. They're easy to add to your diet so you can make sure you're getting enough omega-3. Other food sources include walnuts, linseeds, olive and rape seed oil, and other nuts and seeds.
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