Fish Oil Supplementation May Slow Telomere Shortening
Fish Oil Supplementation May Slow Telomere Shortening
A new study shows that people who take fish oil supplements slow down telomere shortening.
As Isagenix customers taking Ageless Essentials with Product B have heard time and again, “Bad things happen when telomeres get short.” Now, a new study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity has found that people who take a regular fish oil-derived long-chain omega-3 supplement slow down their telomere shortening and may even lengthen telomeres.
The study included 106 subjects with an average age of 51 who were relatively healthy despite being overweight/obese and sedentary. Subjects received one of three interventions: 2.5 grams of long-chain omega-3s per day, 1.25 grams of long-chain omega-3s per day, or placebo capsules that mirrored the proportions of fatty acids seen in the typical American diet. After just four months, telomere length significantly increased and biomarkers for oxidative stress decreased in groups that received the omega-3 supplements.
Shorter telomeres have been linked to age-related conditions and accelerated aging. Telomeres, which are found at the end of chromosomes, have been likened to the plastic caps on the ends of shoelaces; they help preserve the integrity of chromosomal DNA. “If that plastic comes off, the shoelace unravels and it doesn’t work anymore,” said study co-author Ron Glaser in a press release. “In the same way, every time a cell divides, it loses a little bit of its DNA at the ends, and over time, that can cause significant problems.”
The scientists attributed the lengthening of telomeres in this study to the decreased ratioof omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids consumed by the subjects. Both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients and compete for key enzymatic pathways, which is why their relative balance is important. The study’s results showed a 15 percent decrease in oxidative stress biomarkers, which may explain the mechanism behind how the altered fatty acid ratio could have affected telomere length.
A second paper published about this study found there was also a 10 percent and 12 percent reduction of the cardiovascular risk factor interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the low- and high-dose groups, respectively, compared to the placebo group. These data provide additional insight into the ways in which the omega profile may make an impact on health.
Long-chain omega-3 fats are fundamental for cell membranes and assist in important biological processes such as blood clotting, immune function, and cell growth. There are few sources of long-chain omega-3 fats in the typical modern diet. The two main types of long-chain omega-3 fats—EPA and DHA—are primarily derived from fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a short-chain omega-3 fatty acid, is a precursor that can be converted to EPA and DHA and is found in walnuts and flaxseeds. Unfortunately, salmon and walnuts are not staple items of most people’s diets.
In contrast, modern diets have numerous sources of omega-6 fats. The typical American diet consists of a 15:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids; however, science shows people need a balance ratio closer to 4-2:1.
Omega-6 fats are found in seeds, nuts, and the oils extracted from them—such as soybean oil, which is used to a greater degree in processed foods. Omega-6 fatty acids play an important role in the construction of eicosanoids (inflammatory signaling molecules); however, too much intake of them has been shown to be detrimental to health. In the case of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, balance is key.
Because the subjects in this study had fairly low omega-6 to omega-3 ratios at baseline, the results indicate an even greater health benefit for the general population. Those with poorer diets may see an even greater change in the measured biomarkers, including telomeres, and consequently, a greater positive influence on their health.
Isagenix IsaOmega Supreme contains purified fish oil with highly concentrated amounts of DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids. Age right with the help of IsaOmega Supreme as an integral component of Ageless Essentials Daily Pack with Product B!
As telomere biologist Bill Andrews, Ph.D., says, “This remarkable research may one day reveal the secret of living a longer, healthier life.”
Learn more about what happens when telomeres get short by clicking the “play” button below.
References
Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Epel ES, Belury MA et al. Omega-3 fatty acids, oxidative stress, and leukocyte telomere length: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav Immun 2012.
Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Belury MA, Andridge R, Malarkey WB, Hwang BS, Glaser R. Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation in healthy middle-aged and older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav Immun 2012;26:988-95.
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