Breakthrough Fish Oil study finds Omega 3 can cut risk of Heart Disease
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.
Doctors who carried out the study in the Ochsner Medical Clinic in New Orleans discovered that Omega 3 was particularly effective in the prevention of strokes and heart disease in people with no reported health problems (as well as those with cardiovascular problems) by up to 30% *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.
As Omega 3 (also known as an essential fatty acid) cannot be produced naturally by the human body it must be consumed within the diet or taken as a nutritional supplement. Omega 6 is also an essential fatty acid, although the over-abundance of mono-unsaturated fats in the modern European diet means that it is actually 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.
Not only can fish oils be beneficial for cardiovascular and circulatory ailments, but they have also been linked to a range of other medicinal benefits. Some of these include eye health and joint health, which studies have indicated can be improved through an increase in 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/