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Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Senior Citizens Find Guidance on Better Health with
Omega-3 in Mayo Newsletter
Benefits for seniors: heart protection, lower blood
pressure, even relief from rheumatoid arthritis
 Aug. 14, 2007 – Omega-3 fatty acids should be as
much a part of the healthy diet as are lots fruits and vegetables and
very little fat and cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic Health
Letter, which provides detailed advice on consuming these healthy fatty
acids. This form of acid appears to have many health benefits for senior
citizens, including heart protection, lower blood pressure and even
relief from rheumatoid arthritis.
Editor’s Note: SeniorJournal.com has carried a
number of reports on the omega-3 fatty acids and many are linked in the
“Related Stories” sidebar at left.
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Related Stories |
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Omega-3 Protects Eyes from Retinopathy as in Major
Causes of Blindness in Senior Citizens
Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular
degeneration may be helped
June 25, 2007
Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish, Vitamin D Fight
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
May 14, 2007
Omega-3 from Fish Oil May Halt Muscle Loss in Senior
Citizens, Athletes
Ability to convert food into muscle proteins
decreases with age
May 9, 2007
Omega-3s Boost the Brain's Grey Matter to Improve
Mood
Eating fatty fish protects senior citizens' hearts,
may make them happier
March 7, 2007
Fish Fatty Acids May Prevent More Sudden Deaths Than
Defibrillators
Omega-3
fatty acids lowered death rates 6.4% in computer study
August 30, 2006
Seniors Protected from Atrial Fibrillation by Fish
with Omega-3, but Not Young Men
May 18, 2006
Fishing Makes Seniors Happy, So Does Eating the
Catch
Omega-3 in fish influences mood, personality and
behavior
March 4, 2006
Is There Something Fishy About Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Studies?
New study says omega-3 does not lower cancer risk -
probably
Jan. 25, 2006
Fish Oil Pills Protect from Heart Disease, Says
Consumer Reports
June 19, 2003
Read more
on
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements |
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Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated
fat important to overall health.
As it pertains to heart disease, their main
benefit is their ability to reduce the risk of heart rhythm problems in
certain groups of people, thus reducing the risk of sudden cardiac
death.
In addition, omega-3s may help reduce
triglycerides, lower blood pressure slightly and reduce
blood clotting.
Not all fish provide omega-3 - the best source of
omega-3s is fatty, cold water fish such as herring, mackerel,
salmon and tuna.
Plant oils, such as canola and
flaxseed oils, also are sources of omega-3s.
Heart Disease Prevention
For heart disease prevention, near-maximum benefit
comes from eating two 3-ounce servings of cold water fish a week.
More than that doesn’t appear to offer any additional preventive
benefit.
Higher amounts of two kinds of omega-3,
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may
benefit some people with established heart disease or high triglyceride
levels and can have an anti-inflammatory effect for people with
rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition, DHA is being studied to see if it can
slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Using Supplements
For those who don’t eat fish, a fish oil supplement
or an algae supplement can provide omega-3 fatty acids.
However, supplements aren’t cheap, and the amount
of DHA and EPA in supplements varies widely.
Except for people who have established heart
disease, the evidence of heart disease prevention is stronger when
one eats fish instead of taking supplements.
Supplements can pose risks, too.
Taking more than 3 grams of fish oil a day may
increase the risk of bleeding, worsen heart rhythm problems in those who
have arrhythmias or cause other side effects.
There is more information in the August issue of
Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly
newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today’s
health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll free
800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.
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All Omega Fats Not Created Equal, One is Detrimental
to Health, Says New Book
Ultimate Omega-3 Diet warns of difference between
omega-3 and omega-6
 June 20, 2007 – Report after report tells Americans
how they can improve their health by consuming more omega-3 fatty
acids, most often found in certain fish. But, a new book warns, not all
omega fats are healthy and too many people are loading up on omega-6
fats that contribute to the problems senior citizens fear most -
Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, arthritis, vision
disorders, learning disorders, PMS, cancer, mood disorders, stress, and
insulin resistance.
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