Many studies have shown that dietary omega-3-rich fish oils could help prevent heart disease. A new suggestion as to why is that the fatty acids in fish oil may help preserve the body’s cellular DNA, specifically the telomeres. The telomeres are the “caps” present at the end of chromosomes, which seem to shorten as we age.

A 2010 study examined telomere length in 608 heart attack survivors and found that those with the longest telomeres had higher levels of omega-3 fats in the blood, and this might be part of the explanation for the protective effect of fish oils. No measurements of dietary omega-3 intakes were made however, only blood levels.

The study researchers, from the San Francisco General Hospital, suggested that while one explanation might be an antioxidant one, it is also possible that the enzyme telomerase, which lengthens and repairs telomeres, might be stimulated by such fatty acids.

It should be noted that there were no healthy subjects in this study, so the findings while very interesting need much more exploration.

Source: Farzaneh-Far R, et al. J Am Med Assoc 2010 Jan 20; 303(3): 250-7.

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Originally posted in February 2010. everybody Nutrition News items are selected from a wide range of journals, bulletins and nutrition information sources worldwide and summarised by Professor John Birkbeck, Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University. The opinions contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsor. Copyright UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.