Omega-3 fatty acids lower AMD and chronic kidney disease, improve heart health

Start 2010 right: consume more seafood omega-3 fatty acids. Improvements or lower risks in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), chronic kidney disease and heart health have been reported in people with higher intakes of fatty fish or the omega-3s they contain. These and other benefits of omega-3s per current research are described in the December 2009 PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life e-newsletters for health professionals and consumers, respectively.

One benefit that's clear to see is the link between fish omega-3s and a lower chance of developing advanced AMD - the leading cause of vision loss and preventable blindness in adults aged 60 or more. A 12-year study of people with intermediate AMD reported that those with the highest consumption of omega-3s were 30 percent less likely to progress to advanced AMD.

In other research, people with chronic kidney disease who consumed a high dose of fish omega-3s for eight weeks had significantly lower blood pressure, heart rate and blood triglycerides (24 percent drop) compared with control patients. The function of their large arteries also improved.

"Chronic kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure, increases the likelihood of heart disease by two to 50 times," said Joyce Nettleton, D.Sc., editor of the PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life. "Increasing one's intake of fish or omega-3s offers a simple, affordable strategy for lowering this risk."

Another study found that in people with acute coronary syndrome who ate fish often - seven portions a week - had an 83 percent lower chance of having heart problems during the first 30 days after hospital admission compared with patients who did not eat fish.

Other research linked higher levels of fish omega-3s with fewer neurologic symptoms in people with carotid artery narrowing. They also had fewer markers of inflammation.

Finally, recent research suggests that in older people with diabetes, who are at increased risk of heart disease, higher intakes of fish oils or omega-3s might be linked to a lower chance of heart failure.

"All of these findings suggest that people with chronic kidney disease, heart disease or diabetes can lower their chances of heart problems by increasing their intake of fish omega-3s," Nettleton concluded. "And they may see more clearly later in life."