A diet rich in fish can help against arterial calcification

Eating More Fish Fights Artery Calcification

Eating about 100 grams of fish rich in Omega-3 daily, which is the average amount consumed by Japanese people, helps prevent calcium deposits in the arteries and protects against heart disease. Calcifications are indeed indicators of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk.

This is what emerged from a study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh (USA) and published in the journal Heart.

Arterial Calcification: an Indicator of Heart Disease

Calcification refers to the deposition of calcium on the walls of the arteries and is a sign of coronary artery disease, which is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. This condition increases the risk of heart attack and other cardiac events. The polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil have long been known for their ability to protect against cardiovascular risk by intervening in various mechanisms responsible for the atherosclerotic process. High consumption of fish, rich in the polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), is indeed associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events, as reported by numerous studies conducted from the 1970s to the present.

Differences in Omega-3 Levels

During the study, researchers involved about 300 men aged 40 to 49, both Japanese and white Americans. Examining the dietary habits of the subjects, it emerged that the Japanese consumed on average 100 grams of fish per day, while Americans consumed between 7 and 13 grams, about one serving per week. The level of Omega-3 fatty acids in the blood of the Japanese was about 100% higher than that of the Americans.

The researchers examined the incidence of coronary artery calcification, discovering that among the Japanese it was much lower than in white subjects. In particular, the ratio of incidence rates between Japanese and Americans was 0.321. Even after considering age, cholesterol levels, smoking, blood pressure, and diabetes, the difference between the two population groups remained very large. The researchers also found that the difference in blood Omega-3 levels and heart disease risk could not be attributed to genetic characteristics. Japanese residents in America showed even higher levels of coronary calcification than the average American.

More Fish, Less Artery Calcification

The results of this study indicate that marine-derived Omega-3s can play a protective role against heart disease also by counteracting arterial calcification, if taken in high amounts. Previous studies on the relationship between fish oil consumption and heart health have considered amounts of fish lower than those habitually consumed by the Japanese population. Therefore, the recommended level of Omega-3 for protection could be higher than previously advised. 

Source:

Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and incidence rate of coronary artery calcification in Japanese men in Japan and white men in the USA: population based prospective cohort study". Akira Sekikawa et al “Heart -2013-304421 Published Online First: 18 December 2013