Scientists Hail Omega-3 Heart Research as a ‘Breakthrough’
The British Heart Foundation has welcomed headline-hitting research published this week, suggesting that omega-3s are a radical way of cutting heart attacks. Looking at over 30 years of data, scientists undertook a meta-analysis which has revealed compelling evidence that could reduce the rate of heart attack deaths in the UK by up to 30%. [1]
Scientists are even going as far as to say that everyone in Britain should be taking 500 mg omega-3 fish oil daily, in order to cut the risk of heart problems. Diseases of the heart and circulatory system (cardiovascular disease or CVD) are the main cause of death in Europe, accounting for over 4.3 million deaths each year. [2] It is still the major cause of premature death (before the age of 65 years) in the UK, accounting for 35% of premature deaths in men and 27% in women in 2002. [3]
Scientists have long hypothesised about the properties of omega-3 in fish oils and their role in supporting the cardiovascular system for those with existing heart problems. This latest evidence adds to the mounting body of research relating to the health benefits of omega-3s, implying that regular intake could dramatically reduce the risk for healthy people too.
Omega-3s, found in every cell membrane in the body, have numerous roles in human health. As well as their role in cardiovascular health, they also help to ensure smooth electrical cell messaging in the brain, thus helping to promote attention and concentration; they also help in regulating inflammation, nourishing our joints, enhancing our immune function and moderating hormones.
Active people may be pleased to learn that these essential nutrients have many benefits which happen also to support an active body. An important component of omega-3, the fatty acid EPA found in fish oil, is a precursor to a series of hormone-like substances called eicosanoids, which are converted in the body via enzyme reactions. These eicosanoids are involved in many physiological processes including regulating inflammation (helping to reduce injury time by speeding healing), immunity and blood-clotting, helping to keep our bodies in an optimum state of well-being.
The positive effects on the cardiovascular system and beneficial actions on blood flow mean that omega-3s also help to increase oxygen supply to the muscles, thereby helping to enhance endurance levels.
Intensive exercise can compromise the immune system, and long bouts of cardiovascular exercise can also produce free radicals as a result of oxidative stress from the production of energy. As such, our immune systems are under pressure to remove these harmful substances. We can combat this by eating antioxidant fruit and vegetables. Particularly effective at mopping up free radicals are the family of triterpenes present in unrefined organic evening primrose oil, contained in both Vegepa and OmegaFlex. The cold-pressed virgin oil is simply extracted and filtered, leaving optimal amounts of important phytonutrients.
When subjected to more challenging demands through activity, the body is reliant upon food to provide its energy and nutrients for repair. As such, physically demanding routines often also necessitate more protein, carbohydrate, essential fats, vitamins and minerals than the average person’s requirement. Omega-3, taken daily, directly supports the healing of tissues, by promoting cell migration, growth and regeneration of wounded tissue. [4]
It’s a good idea to incorporate oily fish into your diet at least twice weekly, supplementing with a purified pharmaceutical-grade fish oil to top up your daily intake. This is also a safe way to consume higher quantities of the beneficial omega-3s without exposure to dioxins, PCBs and mercury, all, sadly, present in fish. Eating large amounts of fruit and vegetables is also important, not only for the micronutrient content, but also because these provide essential co-factors which act as catalysts in the enzyme conversions, maximising the conversion of omega-3 EPA to the beneficial eicosanoids.
References
[1] Hankenson, Kurt D., et al. Omega-3 fatty acids enhance ligament fibroblast collagen formation in association with changes in interleukin-6 production. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Vol. 223, January 2000, pp. 88-95.
[2] BHF statistics: Chapter 1: Mortality, European cardiovascular disease statistics 2008. Available: http://www.heartstats.org/temp/ESspweb08spchapter.1.pdf [accessed 8th June 2009].
[3] British Nutrition Foundation, 2004. Heart Disease and Stroke (Cardiovascular Disease). Available: http://www.nutrition.org.uk/upload/CVD%20pdf%20for%20website.pdf [accessed 9th June 2009].
[4] Lavie, C. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Aug. 11, 2009; vol 54: pp 585-594.
