Omega-3 & Heart Protection

According to a study published in the May 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, omega-3 is linked to improving electrical properties of heart cells. Omega-3 may offer beneficial protection against fatal abnormal heart rhythms.

Researchers evaluated 3,042 people with an average age of 45 and measured the heart’s electrical cycle (QT interval). This study found that people who ate more than 300 grams of fish per week had 13.6% lower QT scores than people who did not eat fish. After adjusting for other factors, such as smoking, those with high fish consumption versus no consumption actually had QT scores that were 29.2% lower. A lower QT score indicates a lower resting heart rate. Increased risk of death has been associated with higher resting heart rates.

C. Chrysohoou, D.B. Panagiotakos, C. Pitsavos, J. Skoumas, X. Krinos, Y. Chloptsios, V. Nikolaou and C. Stefanadis. “Long-term fish consumption is associated with protection against arrhythmia in healthy persons in a Mediterranean region-the ATTICA study.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. May 2007, Volume 85, Number 5, Pages 1385-1391.