Older People Benefit from Fish Oils

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. There is abundant evidence that a diet rich in fatty fish is highly protective against death from heart disease in people 65 years of age and younger. Now researchers at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have extended the evidence to include people with an average age of 78 years. Their study included 54 men and women who had suffered a fatal heart attack or other fatal ischemic heart disease event, 125 people who had suffered a non-fatal heart attack, and 179 matched controls. All study subjects had blood samples drawn about 2 years prior to the cardiovascular event. The phospholipid phase of the blood plasma was isolated and analyzed for its contents of the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and linoleic acid (LA). EPA and DHA are the main constituents of fish oil, ALA is found in canola, flax and soybean oils, and LA is a main constituent of safflower and cottonseed oils.

The researchers found that subjects with a high phospholipid content of EPA + DHA had a 70% lower incidence of fatal heart disease than did those with a lower level (4.1% versus 3.3% of total fatty acids). Participants with a high level of ALA had a 50% reduced risk of fatal heart disease. Subjects with a high level of LA, on the other hand, had a 2.4 times higher incidence of fatal heart disease than did those with a lower level. There was no association between the levels of the fatty acids and the incidence of non- fatal heart attacks. The researchers ascribe this to the fact that EPA and DHA (and perhaps ALA) are known to prevent ventricular arrhythmias – the main factor in sudden cardiac death. Ventricular arrhythmias are not involved in non-fatal heart attacks.

The researchers conclude that their findings lend further support to the recommendation from the American Heart Association to consume 2 fish meals (preferably fatty fish) per week. Dr. William Harris of the University of Missouri, in commenting on the results, suggests that a combined daily intake of 1 gram of EPA + DHA is both safe and prudent, but that supplementation with fish oil capsules may be required to achieve this goal.