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For years, scientists have examined the link between fatty
fish and reduced risk of death from heart attack. Most research
has pointed to the high levels of fatty acids in certain fish
as one of the secrets to maintaining a healthy heart, but
no one has been able to figure out exactly how these acids
work.
New research from France has shed more light on the relationship
between fatty fish and heart health. In this study published
in Circulation (a journal of the American Heart Association),
researchers tracked 9,700 men ages of 50- 59 who had no signs
of heart disease, for two years. Among the factors the researchers
documented were heart rate; blood pressure; cholesterol levels;
and diet - including how often the men ate fish. A subgroup
of 407 men also underwent a series of tests to determine levels
of fatty acids in their blood.
 Men
who ate fish more than twice a week had an average heartbeat
of 65.5 beats per minute, compared to 67.5 beats per minute
for men who ate fish less than once a week. While it may not
seem like a big difference, consider that in the course of
a year, based on the above figures, the heart of a person
who regularly ate fish would beat 1,051,200 times less than
the heart of person who didn't eat fish regularly.
Eating fish had other benefits as well. Regular fish-eaters
had higher levels of fatty acids in the blood, which help
protect the heart. They also had lower triglyceride levels
and lower blood pressure, and their HDL, or "good," cholesterol
levels were higher than men who ate less fish.
If fish isn't already a regular part of your diet, now may
be a good time to start including it. Fatty fish, such as
salmon, mackerel and herring, contain high levels of omega-3
fatty acids, so they may offer the best protection against
heart problems. Your doctor of chiropractic can help you draw
up a diet that includes more servings of fish, and can discuss
other ways of keeping your heart beating strong year after
year.
Reference:
Dallongeville J, Yarnell J,
Ducimetiere P, et al. Fish consumption is associated with
lower heart rates. Circulation Aug. 19, 2003; Volume108,
pp.820-825.
For more information on the benefits of nutrition, go to
www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.
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