Omega-3 fatty acids decrease oxidative stress and affect biomarkers of aging. Digest
As the human body ages several changes occur, including the gradual erosion of the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, known as telomeres. A 2012 study suggests that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids can counteract telomere shortening and slow aging.
Telomeres function as a protective buffer against DNA loss during replication and DNA damage caused by inflammation, reactive oxygen species, and other chemical compounds. Telomeres get shorter with age and telomere length is a biological marker for age.
Previous research has demonstrated that many factors can affect the rate of telomere shortening. The dietary balance of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) omega-3 and omega-6 — which influence inflammation — might be a factor. The current study investigated whether blood levels of these polyunsaturated fatty acids affect telomere stability.
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The double-blind randomized controlled trial involved 106 adults between the ages of 40 and 85 years who were sedentary and overweight. The authors of the study provided participants with a supplement containing 1.25 grams or 2.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo. To evaluate the influence of the omega-3 fatty acids versus placebo, the authors measured telomere length, telomerase activity, and markers of oxidative stress (known as F2-isoprostanes). They found that supplementation at both doses lowered the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio in the blood, which was associated with longer telomere length. They also observed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreased markers of oxidative stress by 15 percent.
These findings suggest that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in quantities high enough to lower the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in the blood can slow aging.