disease

Middle-aged and senior adults should maintain an adequate level of omega-3 intake

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At this age, you probably want to thank your younger self for keeping your body and mind safe. But due to our current commercial and industrial world, we can’t exactly escape the stress and pollution which affect our health. These environmental factors will increase the risks of health conditions such as heart and brain diseases.

Fear not! Omega-3 will still play a major part in fighting these diseases.

  • Heart health: Research shows that omega-3 can keep a stable heart rate and people with adequate intakes of omega-3s decrease 45% of getting heart-related deaths. Fish also reduces the risk of strokes. So maintain that healthy diet!
  • Triglycerides. The omega-3s — DHA and EPA — can slash triglyceride levels by 20% to 50%. The effect seems to depend on the amount, so your doctor might recommend fairly high doses. The effects of omega-3s on other types of cholesterol are less clear.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. While the evidence isn’t conclusive, a number of studies have found that fish oil can reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, like morning stiffness and pain. High doses – of 3 to 4 grams — may be necessary. No one should be on such a large dose without the supervision of a doctor.
  • Osteoporosis. Studies have found that people who eat higher levels of fatty fish than average have greater bone density in the hip. One study found that fish oil – in combination with calcium and primrose oil – increased bone density in older people with osteoporosis.
  • Memory, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Fear of having trouble figuring out why these people are looking at you? Don’t want to think of how you ended up in this strange area? Eat fish. Several studies have found that diets high in fatty fish may help prevent memory loss and lower the risk of dementia in older people. Although it may not be able to rule out the condition completely, it will slow down. Recent studies have also evaluated whether the omega-3 supplement DHA can slow the decline seen in people with Alzheimer’s dementia or in age-associated memory impairment. One recent study showed that DHA can be a beneficial supplement and may have a positive effect on gradual memory loss associated with aging.

For more information, visit this link.

-HNH