subject: Omega 3 Fatty Acids Have Anti-aging Effect [print this page] Omega 3, the fatty acids found in cold water fishes similar salmon have lots benefits, including alleviating depression, preventing age-related blindness and a host of other benefits. But did you know that omega-3 has anti-aging effects as well?
Aging is caused by telomeres, the structures at the end of chromosomes. They mark biological aging. Genetic factors such as exposure to certain chemicals, environmental stresses are believed to contribute to the aging process. Now research published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that omega 3 also slows down the shortening of telomeres.
Past studies have shown that people with established cardiovascular disease who have high dietary intake of marine omega 3 fatty acids live longer who have the same health problems but do not have adequate omega 3 in their diet. As for anti-aging effects, a group of scientists studied if omega 3 fatty acids were linked to changes in leukocyte telomere length. The scientist studies the patients for about 5 years. There was an association between baseline levels of two types of omega 3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, in the patients' bodies and there was a subsequent change in telomere length.
Their research also showed that the subjects with the least amount of DHA and EPA experienced the most rapid rate of telomere shortening. However, those with the highest levels of the omega-3 fatty acids experienced the slowest rate of telomere shortening - meaning, those with high levels of omega 3 fatty acids had greater anti-aging components in their system.
This raises hope for those who are seeking anti-aging treatments - natural anti-aging treatments at that. The abundance of omega 3 in the diet could offer cellular anti-aging protection for all people, whether they have a heart disease or not.
