Tuesday, March 21, 2023
HomeHealth & MedicineOmega-3 Fatty Acids in Blood Predict Life Expectancy

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Blood Predict Life Expectancy

Omega-3 is known for lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and memory loss. Now scientists know blood level of omega-3 could be a good predictor of mortality.

Previous research have shown that consumption of omega-3 is associated with a lower risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even memory loss. Now scientists know blood level of omega-3 could be a good predictor of mortality.

Since the discovery of omega-3 in 1929, scientists have conducted extensive research linking omega-3 supplementation and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, some specific forms of cancer, depression, and cognitive decline to increased life span (Champigny et al., 2018).  

Genes Linked to Longer Human Lifespan

Though the association between omega-3 consumption and a lower risk of all-cause mortality in humans appears inconclusive in some research (Rizos et al., 2017), a recent study reveals blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids can be a good predictor of mortality.

A 1% increase in omega-3s in the blood is associated with a change in mortality risk similar to quitting smoking. Also, maintaining a higher level of omega-3s in the blood increases life expectancy by almost five years. The study results are recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (McBurney et al., 2021).

What we have found is not insignificant. It reinforces the idea that small changes in diet in the right direction can have a much more powerful effect than we think.

Omega-3 was first discovered by George Burr and Mildred Burr in 1929 (Burr et al., 1973). Since then, this compound has attracted a range of scientific topics about its chemistry, natural sources, health effects, and mechanism of action. 

On August 9, 2021, searching the PubMed database with the keyword ‘omega-3’ revealed over 33,000 research articles, two-thirds of which were published in the last decade, primarily focusing on the health benefits of omega-3 or omega-3-rich food consumption in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, and cognitive decline. 

More Read

Chemically the omega−3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) characteristic of a double bond between 3rd and 4th carbon atoms from the terminal methyl group. 

The three main physiologically important omega-3 are α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Among omega-3s, ALA, usually found in plant oils, is essential to the human body and can only be obtained through diet or supplementation. However, the other two, EPA and DHA, commonly found in fish oils, our body can use ALA by creating additional double bonds along its carbon chain and extending it.

When we age, the body’s ability to make the longer-chain omega−3 fatty acids from ALA lowers. If the demand is not replenished via supplementation, the body may fall at risk of disease, increasing mortality.

The Study

Recently, researchers at Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), and The Fatty Acid Research Institute in the United States, in collaboration with several universities in the United States and Canada, showed that omega-3 fatty acids levels in the blood are as good a predictor of mortality from any cause as smoking.

In the study, the scientists collected data from Framingham Offspring Cohort, a long-term study group monitoring residents of a Massachusetts town in the United States since 1971.

Monitoring 2,200 People over Eleven Years

The study monitored all 2240 people over the age of 65 for an average of 11 years. The researchers analyzed blood fatty acid levels to compare RBC fatty acid levels with common cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors to predict mortality.

Vegan Diet Linked to Poorer Bone Health

Vegan Diet Linked to Poorer Bone Health

A vegan diet is considered healthy, but 'Our scientific findings indicate that a vegan diet does affect bone health' says ...
Read More
Gut Health: Childhood Diet Has Lifelong Impact

Gut Health: Childhood Diet Has Lifelong Impact

Gut harbors over 100 trillion microorganisms. Eating too much unhealthy diet as a child can alter microbial ecosystem for life, ...
Read More

They systematically evaluated the association of 8 common risk factors (age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, hypertension treatment, blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes) and 28 FA metrics with all-cause mortality.

Study Results

The study found that omega-3 and three other fatty acids fulfill their target. Interestingly, they found two of those four fatty acids traditionally associated with increased CVD risk.

omega-3

“This reaffirms what we have seen lately; not all saturated fatty acids are necessarily bad,” says Dr Sala-Vila. Indeed, not all fatty acid levels in the blood can be modified by diet, as with omega-3 fatty acids.

These results may show that a personalized dietary recommendation is necessary based on the blood levels of different fatty acids.

Dr Sala-Vila further added, “What we have found is not insignificant. It reinforces the idea that small changes in diet in the right direction can have a much more powerful effect than we think, and it is never too late or too early to make these changes.”

Replication of the results is needed in other study populations to validate this FA fingerprint as a predictor of all-cause mortality.

Future Research

The researchers are now planning to analyze the same bio-markers in similar population groups but of European origin to determine if the results obtained in the current study can also be extrapolated outside of the United States. 

The American Heart Association recommends consuming oily fish such as salmon, anchovies, or sardines twice a week because of the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids. 

Related Publication and Further Readings

Burr, G. O. and M. M. Burr (1973). “Nutrition classics from The Journal of Biological Chemistry 82:345-67, 1929. A new deficiency disease produced by the rigid exclusion of fat from the diet.” Nutr Rev 31(8): 248-249.

Champigny, C. M., R. P. J. Cormier, et al. (2018). “Omega-3 Monoacylglyceride Effects on Longevity, Mitochondrial Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Insights from Drosophila melanogaster.” Mar Drugs 16(11).

McBurney, M. I., N. L. Tintle, et al. (2021). “Using an erythrocyte fatty acid fingerprint to predict risk of all-cause mortality: the Framingham Offspring Cohort.” Am J Clin Nutr 114(4): 1447-1454.

Rizos, E. C. and M. S. Elisaf (2017). “Does Supplementation with Omega-3 PUFAs Add to the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease?” Curr Cardiol Rep 19(6): 47.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent Post

ultra-processed-foods

Ultra-Processed Foods May Be Linked to Increased Risk of Cancer

0
An observational study conducted by Imperial College London reveals that greater consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is associated with a higher risk of developing...

MOST COMMENTED

fitness-vegan-exercise

For Weight Loss, Vegan Is Better Than the Mediterranean Diet

51
Vegan is more effective for weight loss, cholesterol control, body composition, and insulin sensitivity, when compared head to head with Mediterranean diet.

RECENT UPDATE

Ultra-Processed Foods May Be Linked to Increased Risk of Cancer

An observational study conducted by Imperial College London reveals that greater consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is associated with a higher risk of developing...

Cannabis Use May Increase Risk of Preterm Birth

Teenagers who use cannabis frequently may be more likely to have children born preterm, when they become parents up to twenty years later, finds a new study.

Coffee with Milk May Reduce Inflammation

Coffee is a popular beverage consumed in many parts of the world. It can be enjoyed either in black or with milk. Recent studies...

Weight Loss: Reducing Total Calories May Be More Effective than Intermittent Fasting

New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that the size and number of meals were more important for weight...

Opioid Prescriptions Much Higher for Lifelong Disabilities

People with two pediatric-onset neurodevelopmental disorders are prescribed opioids at significantly higher rates than those without the conditions.