Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Add Length to Your Years

Aging is inevitable.

As much as we would like to “turn back the clock”, we do not have control over the AMOUNT of time that passes. However, we do have control over HOW our bodies age over the course of that time.

Today, there are so many products, lotions, pills and potions on the market that claim to reduce the appearence of aging, erase wrinkles, fade lines, etc, etc. The issue with all these remedies is that they only remedy the symptoms of aging, rather than working to address the root cause of aging.

What we put IN our bodies has a greater effect on our wellness, our health and our appearance that what we put ON our bodies. How we age is no exception.

The quality of your diet determines the quality of your aging.

Omega-3 fatty acids lead the way in the anti-aging conversation.

Structures knowns as telomeres can be found in our white blood cells, they are tiny segments of DNA that protect the main information stored in our chromosomes allowing the cells to divide in a health way making new cells such as skin, blood, bone, etc. As we age, these telomeres lose length as a consequence of aging, until finally they are no longer and the cell becomes in-active. Once this occurs these cells no longer divide. Meaning that less new cells are made…less new skins, less new bone, less new blood. This shortening has also been associated several types of chronic disease, such as coronary heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. No new cells, mean greater chance for old cells to mutate.

The result is aging.

However, there is a silver lining: Research scientists have found omega-3 fatty acids to have a significant effect on protecting the telomeres of our cells for shortening at an accelerated rate. This effect lengthens the life of our healthy multiplying cells, thus furthering the health of our organs, bones, tissues and cells and lowering our risk of age related diseases.

How to Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Increasing Omega-3 fatty acid aids in our diet reduces inflammation that impacts the health and function of our cells. Increase foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as wild salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, tuna, and herring. ALA, a plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, is also found in flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil, purslane, perilla seed oil, walnuts, and walnut oil. An omega-3 fish oil supplement is also highly effective in increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake.

HOW are you aging?

In Health & Happiness,

Abigail Hueber, RD