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A recently published nutrition study set out to answer a bold question; is omega-3 fatty acid intake related to life expectancy? The complexity of answering straight-forward questions about food intake and chronic disease or death is, wellā¦complex.
With multiple variables at play in the determination of how long a human may live, itās important to keep in mind that factors outside of diet alone do matter. Lifestyle choices such as exercise habits, smoking, drinking and sleep patterns all play a role in the overall health of an individual. However, diet plays an undeniably massive role in your health and while you work on your non-diet health habits, weāre here to break down the latest nutrition data.
The breakdown
First, letās start with the basics: what are omega-3 fatty acids? There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Alpha-linolenic acid can be found in commonly used plant oils like flaxseed, soybean, and canola oils. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are often found in fish and seafood.1Ā Omega-3 fatty acids comprise the membranes of cells in your body and, unfortunately, cannot be made by the body on its own. For this reason, we call omega-3 fatty acidsĀ essential fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids have multiple health benefits but are best known for their cardiovascular protection. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids are tied to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and inflammation. They support the lining of the arteries to keep them shiny and smooth (yes, that is a Persona-declared scientific statement). But really, they do!2
New science
The new omega-3 fatty acid study summary published inĀ Science DailyĀ concluded that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood can increase life expectancy by roughly five years. According to the summary, āResearchers have found that omega-3 levels in blood erythrocytes are very good mortality risk predictors. The study used data from a long-term study group ā¦ and concludes that, āHaving higher levels of these acids in the blood, as a result ofĀ regularly including oily fish in the diet, increases life expectancy by almost five years.ā3
In a nutshell, omega-3 levels found in red blood cells are great predictors of mortality risk. Dr. Aleix Sala-Vila, author of the study, also notes that smoking takes about 4.7 years off life expectancy, which is the gain of life expectancy if your blood contains high levels of omega-3ās.
This new study monitored 2,240 people over the age of 65 for an average of eleven years, which indicates a high-quality study with plenty of data points. Dr. Sala-Vila wants to encourage the population that āit is never too late or too early to make these [dietary] changesā.3
How you can improve your diet
Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet is easy (we really mean it!). TheĀ American Heart AssociationĀ recommends eating oily fish such as salmon, anchovies, or sardines twice per week.3Ā If salmon, anchovies, or sardines arenāt your thing, here is a list of alternative foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, including vegan options4:
Science Daily:Ā Ā Ā Ā https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210722113004.htm
No doubt a likely aid towards Japanese longevity.