Omega 3 Fish Oils Help Slow the Aging Process

Why do some people die of “old age” in their 70s and others in their 90s? Do our cells reach a point where they no longer function? Researchers from the University of California @ San Francisco (UCSF) have discovered Omega 3 fish oils help slow our aging process by protecting our DNA. We typically have a double strand of 23 chromosomes—one-half from our mother and one-half from our father. The ends of our chromosomes are protected by telomeres, much like the caps at the end of our shoelaces; thus, preventing our chromosomes from “fraying”. Each month our cells divide so they can reproduce many times. During cell division our telomeres can become shortened or “snipped” (the shorter the telomere the older the cell). If the telomere becomes too short the cell either dies or enters an inactive state-making one more vulnerable to disease; thus, the longer the telomere the longer your life potential.

Researchers completed a prospective study on 608 California outpatients with stable coronary artery disease. Researchers measured both the length of the telomere in the white blood cells and the Omega 3 blood levels at the beginning of the study and five years later at the end of the study. The study demonstrated an inverse relationship between baseline blood levels of Omega 3 fatty acids and the shortening rate of the telomere over five years. Small increases in the Omega 3 blood levels were associated with 30-35% reduced risk of shortened telomeres.

The American Heart Association recommends for individuals without heart disease to take 500 mg of the DHA + EPA. For patients with heart disease it is recommended you take 1000 mg of the DHA + EPA.

Slow your aging process: reduce stress, eat healthy, exercise and take your Omega 3 fish oils.

Ramin Farzaneh-Far, MD; et.al. JAMA. 2010;303(3):250-257.