Omega-3 Fatty Acids Might Just Make Life Longer

Supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acids just may extend your life by limiting the damage done to the telomeres on your DNA.  A new study from the researchers at Ohio State University followed middle-aged and older adults on a four month trial of fish oil pills. The result was less damage to the telomeres during cell division.  Every time a cell divides a small piece of the end of the DNA known as a telomere is clipped off.  Scientists believe that this damage is the root cause of aging and cancer. Personally, I've been taking cod liver oil emulsions - the minty kind.  The flavor is very palatable and the results, in my case, very good.  I primarily started taking cod liver oil to control the swelling associated with my gout.  Omega- fatty acids also perform as an anti-inflammatory which is helpful because I can't take aspirin or advil.

Most Americans have much higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids - from things like eggs, most of our common cooking oils (but not olive oil), poultry and nuts.  Add in wheat as a source of omega-6 fatty acids and it becomes pretty clear the average diet is very high in omega-6 fatty acids and much less so in omega-3 fatty acids.  Consequently, the ratio that we have is about 15-1 omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.  The experts tell us that the ratio should be 2-1 and no worse than 4-1.

If you want to add in natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids, you can.  The best sources are: cold water fish, fish oils, flaxseed, canola oil, and English walnuts.  Also, spinach - Popeye would be proud.

I find it easier to supplement - the links above will take you to Amazon and the products I have used and liked.