Omega 3 and age

A new study shows that there are many benefits of eating a diet rich in omega 3.

“As we age, hormone secretion and cell responsiveness decrease, possibly due to loss of cell membrane fluidity or alteration of the membrane,” said Dr. S. Mitchell Harman, MD, PhD, Director and President of Kronos Longevity Research Institute. “Animal studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help hormone signals get into cells whose cell membrane has been stiffened by age.”

We already knew that foods rich in omega 3 and 6 are good for us. But now we learn that omega 3 intake as we age is vital.

But what about mercury levels? I’ve heard horror stories of mercury poisoning by people who thought they were doing the right thing by eating fish 3 or more times a week. Well, the American Heart Association, the body that advocates eating fish at least twice a week… thinks the risk of mercury poisoning is outstripped by the benefits for older people.

For middle-aged and older men and postmenopausal women, the benefits of fish consumption far outweigh the potential risks when the amount of fish are eaten is within the recommendations established by the FDA and Environmental Protection Agency.

So, the AHA believes we older peeps can successfully take in more omega 3… and if we happen to get mercury poisoning… well, we are old, right? We’re going to go anyway…
Yeah. Good thing I don’t have a cam, because I’m giving the AHA a salute right now….

Fish with the highest levels of mercury are Shark, Swordfish, Tilefish (golden bass or golden snapper) and King mackerel. Salmon have the lowest levels.