Omega-3s Protect Male Heart From Cardiac Arrest
Omega 3 and heart health: fish oil can prevent heart attacks especially in men
Heart health also depends on Omega-3: moderate consumption of fish rich in these fatty acids protects the male heart by reducing the incidence of cardiac arrest. This was demonstrated by a study from Harvard Medical School in Boston (USA), published in the European Heart Journal. The research, which involved middle-aged and elderly men, confirms the benefits of Omega-3 for the heart.
Omega-3, wellbeing for the heart
The benefits for heart health from a diet rich in Omega-3 have been known since the 1970s. It was during this period that the first studies appeared on the Eskimo populations of Greenland, characterized by one of the lowest incidences of heart disease worldwide. Analyses conducted at the time first revealed the strength of the Eskimo diet, dominated by fatty fish rich in Omega-3. Over the years, researchers have deepened their understanding of the cardiovascular advantages of consuming these fatty acids. It has been demonstrated that Omega-3 protect the heart by countering cardiovascular risk factors such as high triglyceride levels and high blood pressure. This corresponds to a reduction ranging between 20% and 45% in mortality associated with events such as myocardial infarction.
Benefits for men
Some studies have suggested that in men, consumption of fatty fish and the Omega-3 it contains is linked to a lower likelihood of experiencing cardiac arrest during older age. No research had confirmed such a correlation in other age groups or in populations where the typical local fish differs from the Omega-3 rich types. For this reason, experts from Harvard Medical School extended their analysis to younger men. The researchers conducted a population study involving 39,367 Swedish men middle-aged or older. Their dietary habits were analyzed through questionnaires aimed at gathering information on the frequency of consumption of various foods. Cases of cardiac arrest were identified by analyzing Swedish hospital admission and death records between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2004. A thorough statistical analysis showed that men who eat fish at least once a week have a significant reduction in risk of cardiac arrest. A similar effect was observed considering the consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3: good even without excess
Based on these results, the authors concluded that it is not necessary to consume large amounts of Omega-3 or fatty fish to protect the heart. Moderate consumption of these nutrients is sufficient to achieve the same protective effect enjoyed by men who consume higher quantities.
Source
1. Levitan EB, Wolk A, Mittleman MA, “Fish consumption, marine omega-3 fatty acids, and incidence of heart failure: a population-based prospective study of middle-aged and elderly men”, Eur Heart J. 2009 Jun;30(12):1495-500. Epub 2009 Apr 21
