A once-a-day capsule of fish oils could reduce the risk of death in patients with heart failure by up to 14 per cent, a study has found.

Daily fish oil capsule can reduce risk of death in heart failure patients by 14%
Article in the Sunday Telegraph

Extracts:

"Almost one million people in the UK are thought to have heart failure, a condition in which the heart muscle is weakened and does not pump efficiently.

A research study has found that patients who took omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid capsules were less likely to die or be admitted to hospital with heart problems than those who took a dummy pill.

The capsules contained 1 gram of omega 3, which is known to be good for the heart as it helps improve the elasticity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation and promotes a good rhythm.

Omega 3 is present in cod liver oil and is found naturally in fish such as salmon and mackerel.

Across the whole group of almost 7,000 participants there was a 9 per cent reduced risk of death in those on fish oils.

But when the researchers looked at 5,000 patients who followed the once-daily regime more closely, the effect was bigger and the risk of deaths was reduced by 14 per cent."

"Prof Luigi Tavazzi from the research centre of the of the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists based in Florence, said: "Our study shows that the long-term administration of 1g per day of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid was effective in reducing both all-cause mortality and admissions to hospital for cardiovascular reasons.

"This is the first study of omega 3 in patients with heart failure, an area which is not rich in new drugs."

This is a modest effect but it is on top of recommended therapies. It's safe, simple and cheap.""

I welcome this report. I have been taking omega 3 capsules for years and feel sure they do me good.

But the most important measure to take to improve heart health and avoid heart failure is to avoid salt and salty food.

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

vulnerable groups

See Sodium in foods

Associated health conditions

Eating oily fish can significantly reduce the risk of memory loss or suffering a stroke, a study has found.

Oily fish can protect brain function
Article in the Telegraph

Extract:

"Consuming fish like tuna, salmon or mackerel three times a week reduces harmful brain lesions which can trigger Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

Researchers claim it could cut the risk of brain problems by 26 per cent.

But the study found that health benefits dramatically reduce if the fish is fried rather than baked or steamed.

Jyrki Virtanen, who led the study at the University of Kuopio in Finland, said: "While eating tuna and other types of fish seems to help protect against memory loss and stroke, these results were not found in people who regularly ate fried fish.

'More research is needed as to why these types of fish may have protective effects, but the omega-3 fatty acids would seem to have a major role.""

Keeping salt/sodium intake low is also good for your memory and mental alertness, and lowers your risk of stroke and of developing vascular dementia.

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, angina, vascular dementia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

Supermarkets may be misleading their customers with omega 3 claims

Supermarkets 'mislead with omega 3 claims'

Extract from report in the Telegraph:

"Supermarkets and food companies are misleading customers by making baffling health claims about omega 3, an organisation has claimed.

The fatty acid has become increasingly popular in recent years after some studies suggested that it can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

However, parts of the food industry have been accused by the consumer group Which? of "riding the money-making omega 3 wave".

A survey of 2,405 of their members found that 45 per cent were more likely to buy a product that claimed to be high in omega 3 than the same food without such a claim.

However, it found that more than half the products on supermarket shelves which claimed to include omega 3 had negligible health benefits, because they either contained so little or the wrong sort of the acid.

Sliced bread, yoghurts, fruit juices and milk were all found to exaggerate the amount or type of omega 3 that was included in the food. Omega 3 is found naturally in oily fish, such as salmon or mackerel.

It can also be found in plant extracts. However, this vegetarian type – ALA – is not nearly as beneficial, health experts claim."

Undoubtedly the best, the safest, the most effective and reliable way to reduce risk of heart disease is to avoid eating salt and food containing salt/sodium. This brings a host of other health benefits too...(o:

Lose weight and improve your health in many ways without drugs or expense by eating less salt! Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!

See my website http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/.html (The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

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How to Lose weight!

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Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

See Sodium in foods and

Associated health conditions and

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