Inflammation plays a role in the decline of lung function and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung condition that affects roughly 300 million people worldwide. However, omega-3s exert robust anti-inflammatory effects. A new study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids might slow the decline of lung function. Researchers conducted a two-part study. First, they reviewed data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Pooled Cohorts Study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29982273/), which measured plasma omega-3 concentrations in more than 15,000 participants. The ... omega-3 inflammation
Read moreOmega-3 fatty acids may protect against COVID-19, a new study shows. People with higher levels of omega-3s in their red blood cells were less likely to contract COVID-19 or require hospitalization if infected. Researchers calculated the concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 derived from fatty fish, in the blood of more than 110,000 people enrolled in the UK Biobank (https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk) study. They also calculated the participants' Omega-3 Index – a measure of total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations in red blood cells. They reviewed the participants' medical ... omega-3 inflammation immune system covid-19
Read more[toc position='left'] Introduction Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that play critical roles in human health, participating in a wide range of biochemical pathways and processes and modulating the expression of genes throughout the lifespan. Omega-3 fatty acids include plant-derived alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and marine-derived eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), among others. A growing body of evidence indicates that omega-3 fatty acids may prevent or ameliorate symptoms associated with chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease,[ref doi='10.3... cancer depression mortality omega-3 nutrition brain diet aging immune system mental health development intelligence
Read moreImpaired transport of DHA disrupts the blood-brain barrier. Lipid rafts – cholesterol-filled “bubbles” found in the cell membrane – serve as staging areas for many cellular activities. One type of lipid raft, called caveolae, facilitates the transport of substances across the membrane of endothelial cells. Findings from a 2017 study demonstrate that suppression of caveolae-mediated transport in brain endothelial cells protects the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a highly selective semi-permeable barrier made up of endothelial cells connected via tight junctio... brain cancer aging omega-3 blood-brain barrier
Read moreDr. Bill Harris discusses the roles that omega-3 fatty acids play in cardiovascular and neurocognitive health. ... omega-3 brain aging heart disease biomarkers inflammation immune system pregnancy mortality polyunsaturated fat
Watch now[toc position='left'] Introduction Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver and fatty tissues of the body. Perhaps best known for its role in maintaining calcium balance and bone health, vitamin D is critical in many physiological processes, such as blood pressure regulation, immune function, and cell growth. Poor vitamin D status is implicated in the pathogenesis of many acute and chronic diseases, including rickets, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Vitamin D is a controversial topic in the scientific community and has contributed to much debate regarding t... gut blood pressure vitamin d aging vitamin k calcium
Read moreCancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, claiming the lives of nearly 10 million each year. As the number of cancer drugs has increased in recent years, so too have the costs associated with their use. Findings in a recent report indicate that vitamin D may reduce the number of cancer deaths, saving thousands of dollars. The authors of the study drew on data regarding age- and sex-specific cancer deaths in the German Center for Cancer Registry. They estimated the costs of cancer treatment and years of living lost in people over the age of 50 years since most cancer deaths occur ... vitamin d cancer
Read moreFluid intelligence – the ability to creatively solve problems without prior knowledge or learning – declines with age. Greater losses of fluid intelligence are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Findings from a recent study suggest that dietary factors protect against fluid intelligence losses. Nutrition plays critical roles in maintaining cognitive health. Evidence indicates that adherence to dietary patterns that include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25681666/). People who carry... alzheimer's aging dementia
Read moreOmega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health. Evidence demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other conditions. A new study demonstrates that dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in fish may help protect the brain from damage induced by particulate matter in air pollution. Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. It is present in fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrograms or less. Some evidence suggests that exposure to particulate air pollutants accelera... nutrition brain omega-3
Read moreNutrition is essential for a child's development and lifelong health. Early nutritional shortfalls are associated with impaired neurological development and growth. Findings from a new study indicate that blood levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, predict how well children concentrate and learn. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid found in the human brain and the meat of fatty fish. It plays a key role in the development of eye and nerve tissues and is essential for normal brain function in humans. Dietary sources of ... brain omega-3 development
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