Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to lower rates of heart disease in Japan… the more Omega-3 consumed, the lower the levels of heart disease.
The research has been published up in the Journal of American Cardiology. It shows that Japanese men have significantly healthier hearts, and they’re consuming twice as much Omega-3 as American men.
Leading the research team, Akira Sekikawa, from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
“Our study suggests that very high levels of omega-3 fatty acids have strong properties that may help prevent the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.”
“Increasing fish intake to two times a week for healthy people is currently recommended in the U.S. Our study shows much higher intake of fish observed in the Japanese may have strong anti-atherogenic effect.”
The significance of this research: tangible evidence that Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower cholesterol. Other benefits, along with lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, include improving heart rhythms, reducing the hardening of the arteries and lowering the risk of a second heart attack.
Dr. Sekikawa notes that while increasing the amount of fish we eat is fine, we need to keep an eye on the purity of the fish, making sure we aren’t consuming fish tainted with high mercury levels.
“The Japanese eat a very high level of fish compared to other developed countries. While we don’t recommend Americans change their diets to eat fish at these quantities because of concerns about mercury levels in some fish, increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids in the US could have a very substantial impact on heart disease.”
Source: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
Journal of American Cardiology