In a new study from the Fatty Acid Research Institute, researchers examined the link between the Omega-3 Index and the risk for death from any and all causes.
It showed that those people with higher omega-3 EPA and DHA blood levels (i.e., Omega-3 Index) lived longer than those with lower levels.
In other words, those people who died with relatively low omega-3 levels died prematurely, i.e., all else being equal, they might have lived longer had their levels been higher.
Numerous studies have examined the link between omega-3s and diseases affecting the heart, brain, eyes and joints, but few studies have examined their possible effects on lifespan.
In Japan, omega-3 intakes and blood levels are higher than in most other countries in the world and they happen to live longer than most. Coincidence? Possibly, or maybe a high Omega-3 Index is part of the explanation.
In the study, the team examined biomarkers—i.e., blood levels—of omega-3 and risk of early death.
They used data from 17 separate cohorts from around the world, including 42,466 people followed for 16 years on average during which time 15,720 people died.
When the team examined the risk for death from any cause, the people who had the highest EPA+DHA levels had a 13% lower risk for death than people with the lowest EPA+DHA levels.
When they looked at three major causes of death—heart disease, cancer and all other causes combined—they found strong risk reductions of 15%, 11%, and 13%, respectively.
These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may beneficially affect overall health and thus slow the aging process and that they are not just good for heart disease.
The team believes that these are the strongest data supporting the view that over the long-term, having higher blood omega-3 levels can help maintain better overall health.
They co-developed the Omega-3 Index 17 years ago as an objective measure of the body’s omega-3 status.
Measuring omega-3s in red blood cell membranes offers an accurate picture of one’s overall omega-3 intake during the last four to six months. To date, the Omega-3 Index has been featured in more than 200 research studies.
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The study is published in Nature Communications. One author of the study is Dr. Bill Harris.
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