The wellness benefits of fish oil supplements is often debated by scientists. However, not only does taking fish oil supplements have enormous benefits to your overall wellbeing, not research has emerged that shows these supplements can dramatically improve your anti-ageing wellness.
Sherry Baker, Natural News Health Sciences Editor, recalls ‘Last month, Natural News told readers the truth about a much ballyhooed previous study which, according to the inaccurate reporting by mainstream media, meant taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements (almost always in the form of fish oil) was a waste of money and did nothing to protect health. In fact, the study was not the last word about fish oil supplements at all and even the researchers who conducted it didn’t make that claim.’
Baker continues, ‘It was a meta-analysis of studies involving close to 70,000 people all lumped together and included research subjects who had only taken omega-3 supplements for a short while. Some took very little. Even the authors of the study noted that “…an individual patient data meta-analysis would be more appropriate to refine possible associations related to, among others, dose, adherence, baseline intake, and cardiovascular disease risk group.” But that didn’t stop the media from ignoring that important point and proclaiming, as ABC News did, that omega-3s are “not a lifesaver” and do nothing for health in general.’
However, now a new study has emerged that shows fish oil supplements really do have major health benefits. Researchers at OhioStateUniversity, who have published their work online in the journal Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity, gave overweight but healthy middle-aged and older adults a substantial amount (either 2.5 grams or 1.25 grams) of omega-3 supplements regularly for four months. The results showed the fish oil supplements altered a ratio of their fatty acid consumption, which, in turn, enhanced the preservation of tiny DNA segments in their white blood cells. ‘These miniscule DNA bits are known as telomeres,’ Baker explains. ‘They shorten over time in many types of cells as a consequence of ageing. Stopping this shortening of telomeres has long been thought to be a key to halting the ageing process or at least slowing it down.’
Baker details, ‘The Ohio State scientists found that lengthening of telomeres in immune system cells was more prevalent in people who substantially improved the ratio of omega-3s to other fatty acids in their diet. What’s more, the substantial and regular supplementation also reduced oxidative stress, known to be caused by excessive free radicals in the blood, by about 15% compared to the oxidative stress measured in a control group of research subjects who received placebos instead of real supplements.’ In a media statement, lead author of the study Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology at OhioStateUniversity, commented, ‘The telomere finding is provocative in that it suggests the possibility that a nutritional supplement might actually make a difference in ageing.’
Moreover, the research team found that the supplements lowered inflammation, which proves that omega-3 fatty acid supplements have heart health benefits. Kiecolt-Glaser noted, ‘Inflammation in particular is at the heart of so many health problems. Anything that reduces inflammation has a lot of potentially good spin-offs among older adults.’ Baker clarifies, ‘Specifically, taking these supplements regularly may lower the risk for a host of diseases associated with ageing, including coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and even mind-robbing Alzheimer’s disease.’ Look online for more information about fish oil supplements, and make sure you speak to your doctor before taking any new supplement, as these may interfere with your personal health concerns.
