A recent study from the well-known Framingham Heart Study found that a low Omega-3 level could predict an early death just as well as key risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking.
The Framingham Heart Study is one of the world's longest-running studies on cardiovascular disease. Its research led to the creation of the Framingham Risk Score, which uses eight standard factors to determine a person's risk for heart disease.
This new finding adds a low Omega-3 Index to that list of powerful predictors, putting it in the same category as smoking and high blood pressure.
Mortality Risk: Low omega-3 levels are associated with the same increased risk of all-cause mortality as being a smoker.
Longevity: Research shows that people with the lowest Omega-3 index have a life expectancy that is, on average, five years shorter than those with the highest levels.
Omega 3 deficiency is a serious and preventable risk factor for premature death, on par with smoking.
While smoking is obviously extremely harmful, a low Omega-3 index is a deficiency you can correct with diet and supplementation.
Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are polyunsaturated fats with extensive benefits for overall health.
They are vital components of cell membranes throughout the body and are particularly concentrated in the brain and retina.EPA and DHA are well-known for their potent anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce chronic inflammation linked to various diseases, including heart disease and arthritis.
DHA is critical for brain function, memory, and cognitive development, making it essential throughout all life stages, from infancy to old age.
Both EPA and DHA also support cardiovascular health by helping to lower blood pressure, reduce triglyceride levels, and prevent the formation of blood clots.
Given that the human body cannot produce these essential fats on its own, they must be obtained through the diet from sources such as fatty fish, or from supplements.
To read the study in full please click on the link below:
Using an erythrocyte fatty acid fingerprint to predict risk of all-cause mortality: the Framingham Offspring Cohort
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34134132/
