New Fish Oil Study Finds Risk of Heart Disease Cut by Omega 3
Fish oils have been celebrated for their health benefits for many years, and a newly published medical study seems to support those claims. In fact, the study indicates that the advantages of fish oils could be even more significant than first thought.
Fish oils have been celebrated for their health benefits for many years, and a newly published medical study seems to support those claims. In fact, the study indicates that the advantages of fish oils could be even more significant than first thought.
The medical study was carried out over a period of several years by doctors at the Ochsner Medical Clinic, based in New Orleans. They discovered that it was particularly Omega 3 that was effective in the prevention of heart disease and strokes, reducing the risk of these condition s by up to 30% in healthy people, as well as those who had some recorded cardiovascular illness *1.
Nutritionists have welcomed the study with one stating that 'fish oils could be a way to radically reduce the number of heart attacks' *2. Currently heart disease claims the lives of over 110,000 people a year, making it the biggest killer in England *3.
Omega 3 is also referred to as an 'essential fatty acid' and cannot be produced naturally by the body so it must be consumed within the diet or taken as a nutritional supplement. Omega 6 is also an essential fatty acid; however the abundance of mono-unsaturated fats in modern diets (found in foods such as Olive Oil) means that the European diet is too rich in Omega 6 *4.
Eating fresh cold water fish, such as Mackerel and Herring, twice a week is the best source of Omega 3, according to the Food Standards Agency *5. However, the average Brit only eats around one third of a portion each week.
Fish oils are associated with many other health benefits as well as the well-known cardiovascular and circulatory benefits. Eye health and joint health are amongst the other improvements to health which have been attributed to an increased Omega 3 intake *6.
There is no RDA currently set for Omega 3. However, most experts agree that a supplement of around 500 - 600 mg of EPA/DHA is sufficient to reap the optimum benefits to your health. This is particularly true for people who are unable to get 2 portions of fish into their diets per week *7.
*1 Alaswad, K. et al (2002). The Oschner Journal. Fish Oil in Cardiovascular Prevention. http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&issn=1524-5012&volume=004&issue=02&page=0083
*2 Daily Mail Online (2009). Could a fish oil pill add years to your life? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1205628/Could-fish-oil-pill-add-years-life.html
*3 Department of Health. Coronary Heart Disease. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Coronaryheartdisease/DH_120
*4 Healthy Direct (2007). Omega 3 Explained. http://www.healthydirect.com/article/Omega3Explained/d.jsf
*5 Food Standards Agency(2009). Fish and Shellfish. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/fishandshellfish/
*6 Daily Mail Online (2009). Could a fish oil pill add years to your life? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1205628/Could-fish-oil-pill-add-years-life.html
*7 Food Standards Agency(2009). Fish and Shellfish. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/fishandshellfish/
Fish oils have been celebrated for their health benefits for many years, and a newly published medical study seems to support those claims. In fact, the study indicates that the advantages of fish oils could be even more significant than first thought.
The medical study was carried out over a period of several years by doctors at the Ochsner Medical Clinic, based in New Orleans. They discovered that it was particularly Omega 3 that was effective in the prevention of heart disease and strokes, reducing the risk of these condition s by up to 30% in healthy people, as well as those who had some recorded cardiovascular illness *1.
Nutritionists have welcomed the study with one stating that 'fish oils could be a way to radically reduce the number of heart attacks' *2. Currently heart disease claims the lives of over 110,000 people a year, making it the biggest killer in England *3.
Omega 3 is also referred to as an 'essential fatty acid' and cannot be produced naturally by the body so it must be consumed within the diet or taken as a nutritional supplement. Omega 6 is also an essential fatty acid; however the abundance of mono-unsaturated fats in modern diets (found in foods such as Olive Oil) means that the European diet is too rich in Omega 6 *4.
Eating fresh cold water fish, such as Mackerel and Herring, twice a week is the best source of Omega 3, according to the Food Standards Agency *5. However, the average Brit only eats around one third of a portion each week.
Fish oils are associated with many other health benefits as well as the well-known cardiovascular and circulatory benefits. Eye health and joint health are amongst the other improvements to health which have been attributed to an increased Omega 3 intake *6.
There is no RDA currently set for Omega 3. However, most experts agree that a supplement of around 500 - 600 mg of EPA/DHA is sufficient to reap the optimum benefits to your health. This is particularly true for people who are unable to get 2 portions of fish into their diets per week *7.
*1 Alaswad, K. et al (2002). The Oschner Journal. Fish Oil in Cardiovascular Prevention. http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&issn=1524-5012&volume=004&issue=02&page=0083
*2 Daily Mail Online (2009). Could a fish oil pill add years to your life? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1205628/Could-fish-oil-pill-add-years-life.html
*3 Department of Health. Coronary Heart Disease. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Coronaryheartdisease/DH_120
*4 Healthy Direct (2007). Omega 3 Explained. http://www.healthydirect.com/article/Omega3Explained/d.jsf
*5 Food Standards Agency(2009). Fish and Shellfish. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/fishandshellfish/
*6 Daily Mail Online (2009). Could a fish oil pill add years to your life? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1205628/Could-fish-oil-pill-add-years-life.html
*7 Food Standards Agency(2009). Fish and Shellfish. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/fishandshellfish/
About the Author:
Philip Youngwood is a keen writer on the subjects of health and nutritional supplements.