According to FishfarmingXpert, fish oil may be the true elixir of youth, according to new evidence of its effect on biological ageing. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil preserve the genetic "fuse" that determines the lifespan of cells, say US scientists.
The discovery, made in heart disease patients, may explain many of the claimed health benefits of omega-3.
Taking fish oil supplements is said to protect against heart disease, improve survival rates after a heart attack, reduce mental decline in old age and help to prevent age-related changes in the eye that can lead to blindness. Research has also shown that rodents live one-third longer when given a diet enriched with fish-derived omega-3.
The latest study looked at 600 men and women suffering heart disease. Each had their telomeres measured and, importantly, they also had blood tests to reveal how much omega-3 their blood contained. Most studies only ask volunteers how much fish they eat, which often leads to vague or incomplete results.
When the telomeres were measured again six years later, the authors found that those with the highest blood levels of omega-3 had seen their telomeres shrink the least.
The paper, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that compounds in these fatty acids may protect against ageing and the damage caused by heart disease.
Fish Oil Slows Ageing
US - Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils have a direct effect on biological ageing, new research suggests.
