Following a clinical study, researchers at the Ohio State University have found that a high daily dosage of omega-3 supplement may help weaken the effects of aging. It does so by combating damage and improving protection at the cellular level during and post a stressful event.
A daily supplement that contained 2.5 grams of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids – the highest dose eamined – was best to help the body withstand the damaging effects of stress. In fact, participants who took omega-3 supplements produced less cortisol – the stress hormone – and lower concentration of pro-inflammatory protein during a wearing out event in the lab, compared to individuals who took the placebo. While, for individuals in the placebo group, level of protective compounds were seen to decline sharply, there was no such decrease detected in individuals who took omega-3.
This reveals that supplements contributed toward stress resilience, which comprises reduction of harm during stress, and after acute stress, protection of cell components that shrink as a result of aging, and sustained anti-inflammatory activity.
Meanwhile, the potential anti-aging effects of supplements were considered to be particularly striking. This is because they occur in people who were healthy, but also overweight, sedentary, and middle-aged – the bundle that could lead to a higher risk of accelerated aging.
“Besides this, omega-3 supplementation is a relatively simple change that people can make and have a positive effect in breaking the sequence between stress and negative health effects, stated the lead author of the study.
The study is published in the April 19th edition of the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The paper on the study is a secondary analysis of an earlier studies that shows omega-3 supplements alter a ratio of fatty acid consumption in a manner that help preserve minute DNA segments in white blood cells.