Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Omega-3 Deficiency Causes Death

Omega-3 Deficiency Responsible for More Than 96,000 Deaths Each Year

A new study performed by the Harvard School of Public Health indicated that Omega-3 deficiencies account for about 96,000 preventable deaths each year in the United States. Even more shocking, the Omega 3 deficiency is responsible for more deaths than trans fats which runs close behind.

According to the study, there are 12 causes of preventable deaths linked to lifestyle and metabolic factors that can be prevented with a healthy diet and lifestyle change. Omega-3 deficiency is the sixth highest killer of Americans, according to US health surveys, when it comes to preventable deaths.

The leading cause of preventable death due to diet and lifestyle choices is tobacco smoking, which accounts for up to 500,000 deaths per year. Second is high blood pressure, accounting for some 400,000 deaths per year, followed by obesity, physical inactivity and high sodium intake. Omega-3 deficiency ranks a close second to deaths from high sodium intake.

As healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, many in the medical community as well as in the public health community are looking for ways to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths due to lifestyle choices. Omega-3 fatty acids are available in supplement form and are an easy way for people to get this necessary nutrient that not only promotes heart health, but can also promote digestive health and even mental health.

Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of heart disease when taken in supplement form. These acids come from fish oil and have proven to be beneficial when it comes to lowering LDL cholesterol and balancing it with HDL cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for the digestive system as they can reduce the amount of fat in the liver. In addition, new studies indicate that not only are Omega-3 fatty acids beneficial when it comes to improving cognitive abilities, but are also helpful for those who are suffering from depression, a serious and sometimes fatal condition.

More studies on lifestyle choices and diet changes are needed to expose the risks that people take when it comes to their diet and health. While many people are well aware that smoking and obesity can significantly shorten the lifespan and cause premature death, many are not aware of the fact that a deficiency in Omega-3 fatty fish oil can also be a cause of death. Those who take Omega-3 fatty fish oil reduce the risk of heart disease, according to studies. In addition to helping reduce the risk of heart disease, supplementing your diet with Omega-3s can also protect against prostate cancer.

There are clearly many benefits to getting more Omega-3s in your diet. Omega 3s can be found in fish oil supplements or krill oil. There is some evidence that krill oil is even more beneficial when it comes to heart and liver health than fish oil, although the effects on other parts of the body are not yet known.

It's simply a fact: Omega-3s are an essential part of a good diet. Making some lifestyle changes, diet changes and adding Omega-3 supplements can end up saving thousands of lives each year.

No comments: