Supplementing with omega-3 from fish oil may slow biological aging
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements: a help against aging
A surprising discovery shows that reducing the ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 in the body through high-dose fish oil supplementation could slow cellular aging and reduce oxidative stress by 15% in healthy adults. This new effect of omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil was highlighted in research published by Janice Kiecolt-Glaser and colleagues at Ohio State University (Columbus, USA) in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
Telomeres, an indicator of biological aging
The US researchers considered the length of telomeres, the terminal part of chromosomes containing the DNA of cells, as an indicator of aging.
Various studies have shown that in diseases associated with aging, these structures are shorter than normal. Furthermore, shorter telomeres are linked to unhealthy lifestyles and premature mortality. This study focused on telomere length in white blood cells of individuals who took daily for 4 months either 2.5 grams or 1.25 grams of Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in a 7:1 ratio. This parameter was compared with telomere length in people who instead took a mixture representing the average fat consumption in a typical American diet. Considering simply the amount of Omega-3 taken, the researchers did not find a significant difference in telomere length among the different participants.
However, focusing on the ratio between Omega-6 and Omega-3, it emerged that lower values (associated with higher amounts of Omega-3) correlate with longer telomeres. Similar results were found when analyzing telomerase activity, the enzyme responsible for telomere length. Together, these data indicate that the lower the Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio, the less cellular aging occurs.
Omega-3 and Omega-6: two opposing effects The results underline how important it is to maintain an optimal balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 in the diet. Although both are essential fatty acids for the body, their actions are mostly opposed: Omega-6 generally promote inflammatory processes, while Omega-3 have a marked anti-inflammatory effect. Unfortunately, modern Western diets are particularly rich in Omega-6. Many experts believe that the increased consumption of these fatty acids at the expense of the healthier Omega-3 partly explains the rise in some diseases such as cardiovascular disorders. The findings of this new study reaffirm that a targeted approach to reduce the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio by increasing Omega-3 intake can effectively improve health status. Furthermore, Kiecolt-Glaser commented on the discovery of Omega-3 influence on telomere length, emphasizing that it supports the hypothesis that dietary supplements can indeed influence aging processes.
Anti-aging and anti-inflammatory Besides the protective effect against telomere shortening, the researchers found that both tested doses of Omega-3 reduce oxidative stress by about 15%, a factor linked to various disorders including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. These results add to previous findings by the same researchers, who showed that Omega-3 intake effectively reduces inflammation levels, another important factor in health status. Based on all this evidence, the authors concluded that Omega-3 supplements could represent a rare case where a single nutritional intervention may help reduce the risk of multiple aging-related diseases: from coronary disease to diabetes and Alzheimer's.
Source:
Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Epel ES, Belury MA, Andridge R, Lin J, Glaser R, Malarkey WB, Hwang BS, Blackburn E, “Omega-3 fatty acids, oxidative stress, and leukocyte telomere length: A randomized controlled trial”, Brain Behav Immun. 2012 Sep 23. pii: S0889-1591(12)00431-X. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.09.004. [Epub ahead of print]
