posted 12/11/02
It will also make the
blood less likely to clot and cause a heart attack, protecting against irregular
heartbeats that cause sudden cardiac death, and decreasing risk of
cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Two especially
beneficial omega-3 fats -- eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and
DHA) -- are found in fish. A less potent omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid, is found
in plant sources such as soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed.
The American Heart
Association’s (AHA) dietary guidelines have recommended that adults eat at least
two servings of fish per week. However, in light of the recent Environmental
Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning about the
presence of contaminants in some species of fish, a report examined the benefits
and risks of consuming omega-3 fats from this source.
The report stated that
benefits and risks depend largely on a person’s life stage. For example,
children and pregnant and nursing women are more susceptible to mercury from
fish so it would be more important for them to avoid eating fish than for
middle-aged and older men, and postmenopausal women, for whom the benefits of
eating fish are thought to outweigh the risks.
Additionally, people with elevated triglycerides, an indicator for heart disease, may benefit from taking 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA per day as a supplement, according to the report. A 1 gram per day dose, which may be more than can be received from diet alone, is currently recommended for patients with existing CVD. The report noted, however, that high intakes of EPA and DHA could cause excessive bleeding in some people.
Source:
Diabetes In Control Dot Com:
Circulation November 19,
2002;106(21):2747-57
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