Consuming Omega-3 Fats Better For Your Health Than Having a Defibrillator Close By
Omega-3 fats may prevent more sudden deaths than defibrillators.
A study of a computer-simulated community of 100,000 (resembling the population of Olmsted County, Minnesota), showed that a diet rich in omega-3s worked better for preventing death than defibrillators in homes and public places, and it even worked better than implanted defibrillators.
When the levels of omega-3 fats consumed by the virtual citizens were increased, the overall death rate in the simulated population went down by 6.4 percent. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) reduced death rates by only 0.8 percent, and implanted defibrillators (ICDs) still only reduced deaths by 3.3 percent.
This suggests that increasing omega-3 fats in the general human diet would have roughly eight times the impact of distributing AEDs and twice the impact of implanting ICDs. This may also be a more cost-effective method; a population like that in the simulation could raise their omega-3 levels with daily supplements at a cost of $5.8 million a year. In contrast, equipping a similar number of households with AEDs would cost $201 million.
Science Daily August 29, 2006
Newswise August 29, 2006
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
If you've spent any time in a major airport or shopping mall over the past year, you've probably noticed signs pointing to automated external defibrillators, placed strategically to assist patients and caregivers in the event of a sudden heart attack.
While it is likely that these devices have saved a few lives, consuming foods rich in omega-3 fats is likely to be a many thousand-fold more effective intervention for preventing sudden death. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see signs in the airport pointing to fish oil to prevent heart disease and cancer?
If you really want to improve your health, try creating a healthier balance of omega-3 fats to omega-6 fats (found in most vegetable oils) in your diet. The ideal ratio should be closer to 1:1 than the typical Western diet, which is tipped far too dangerously toward omega-6 fats at a 1:20 ratio.
When omega-6 fats predominate your diet, this encourages the production of inflammation in your body. You can shift this by consuming omega-3 fats, which actually promote the production of substances that fight inflammation.
Since so many diseases have now been linked to chronic inflammation, this really is one of the most important nutrition concerns to get right.
In fact, many scientists believe that one major reason for today's high incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and some forms of cancer is this profound imbalance between our intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fats.
Omega-3s are also absolutely necessary for your brain to function optimally. Your brain is more than 60 percent structural fat, just as your muscles are made of protein and your bones are made of calcium. But it's not just any fat that your brains are made of, the majority of it is omega-3 fats.
Receptors for certain neurotransmitters in your brain are normally made from an omega-3 fat called DHA. If you don't have much DHA in your blood, your body may use man-made trans-fat molecules as a construction material instead.
But trans-fats are shaped differently than DHA, so the receptors become deformed and don't work very well. This can lead to problems like depression and problems concentrating, especially in children whose brains are still developing.
Over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with omega-3 deficiencies, including:
- Depression
- Memory Problems
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
That's why omega-3s not only protect your heart, but can also help you beat prostate cancer and improve your mental health.
Your best source for omega-3 fatty acids is one of the most safe and natural: Taking a high-quality fish or krill oil daily. If you are unable to find a high-quality local source of omega-3 fat then please consider the krill oil that we have in our store. We have been able to secure the highest quality and lowest price version possible for your convenience.
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