Omega-3s could benefit the heart and brain
Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found to reduce atrial fibrillation and improve heart rate variability.
06/07/05 Recently published articles confirm the positive effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC- PUFAs) in reducing atrial fibrillation, improving heart rate variability, benefiting children at high risk of heart disease, and improving neurodevelopment in premature infants. The June 2005 PUFA Newsletter summarizes these findings along with studies related to mental health, visual function, and prostate cancer.
A study with prospective coronary bypass patients showed a 54 percent reduction in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation as well as shorter hospital stays in those treated with n-3 LC-PUFAs compared with controls. Another study on fish oil in elderly people demonstrated that the oil, and by implication the n-3 LC-PUFAs it contains, can significantly improve heart rate variability.
Previously documented benefits to growth and development in premature infants receiving supplementary LC-PUFAs were also confirmed by recent research. Other data show that liquid cod liver oil, a concentrated source of n-3 LC-PUFAs, may be an especially useful dietary supplement from early pregnancy on, especially for women at increased risk of having a low birthweight infant.
Another link in the epidemiological chain connecting n-3 LC-PUFAs with healthy vision later in life is also discussed in this e-newsletter. A study involving more than 71,000 nurses for over 16 years showed that high total fat intake increased risk of cataract extraction. Increased intake of n-3 LC- PUFAs, however, resulted in 12 percent lower risk.
Finally, the e-newsletter describes an inverse association between advanced prostate cancer and n-3 LC-PUFAs, suggesting that these fatty acids may retard disease progress.
Sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products, the quarterly PUFA Newsletter is online at http://www.fatsoflife.com and by complimentary e-subscription at http://www.fatsoflife.com/subscribe.asp.
