Are Oil-rich Fish in Deep Water?
Dietitian Juliette Kellow reports on the latest findings
that show increasing intake of omega 3 fats may not be so
beneficial for reducing incidence of diseases.
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Are Oil-rich Fish in Deep Water?
By WLR Dietitian
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This month, the papers have been full of stories that
contradict what many diet experts have believed for years – that
omega-3 fats found in some plant oils and oily fish are good for
our health.
A study published online by the British Medical Journal
analysed 89 previously published studies, looking at the health
effects of omega-3 fats on death rates, cardiovascular events,
cancer and strokes.
The researchers concluded that it remained unclear whether
increasing intakes of omega 3s actually reduced the incidence of
these conditions but said that UK guidelines advising people to
eat more oily fish should continue at present – although the
evidence should be reviewed regularly.
Weight Loss Resources says:
No wonder we’re confused! After years of being told to eat
more oily fish such as salmon, trout, fresh tuna, sardines and
mackerel, we’re now being led to believe it might all have been
in vain!
However, take heart in the fact that most experts still agree
that omega 3 fats are important for health. The Food Standards
Agency (FSA) continues to advise that people should eat at least
two portions of fish per week, including one of oily fish. It
says the findings of this new study don’t raise any new issues.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) agrees. Dr Mike Knapton,
Director of Prevention and Care at the BHF says, “People should
not stop consuming omega 3 fats or eating oily fish as a result
of this study. Until now, medical research has demonstrated a
benefit from omega 3 fats in protecting people from heart and
circulatory disease.”
It’s also worth bearing in mind that as well as being linked
with heart health, omega-3 fats have many other roles in the
body that help to keep us healthy. For example, omega 3s are
vital building blocks for our cells and are thought to be
important for brain function, relieving the symptoms of
inflammatory responses and vision.
In particular, developing babies require omega 3 fats to
ensure their brains grow properly – poor intakes have been
associated with impaired cognitive function and even low IQ.
There’s also evidence to link conditions such as Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression and aggression
to a lack of omega 3.
Furthermore, many inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid
arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory kidney disease and
inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis, have been shown to respond to omega 3.
It’s also worth remembering that all fish is an excellent
source of protein and contains essential vitamins and minerals,
such as selenium and iodine. Plus oily fish is also a good
source of vitamins A and D, as well as omega 3 fats. And let’s
not forget the fact that foods like grilled salmon, fresh tuna
on a salad nicoise or sardines on toast all taste great and add
variety to our diets.
Our advice is to follow FSA guidelines that continue to
recommend eating one serving of oil-rich fish every week.
Plus heed the words of the BHF’s Dr Knapton who sums things
up perfectly. “Whatever amount of oily fish you consume, the
impact on your risk of heart disease is negligible compared to
the benefits of quitting smoking, doing regular exercise and
eating a diet low in saturated fats.”
For more information visit
www.food.gov.uk |
