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Healthy Heart Reports
More On Omega-3 Deficiency And Heart Attacks
7956
An article in the medical journal, Lancet, shows that taking extra omega-3 fatty acids prevents a second
heart attack (1). Most people know that Omega-3 fatty acids are found in deep water fish and shell fish,
but they are also found in many seeds such as flax and pumpkin seeds, nuts, whole wheat and other
whole grains, soybeans and canola oil. Recently published research from Australia shows that giving
people extra linseed (flaxseed) oil margarine reduces susceptibility to clotting and helps to prevent heart
attacks (2). Another study from Harvard shows that women who take in extra omega-3 vegetable oils
from canola oil-and-vinegar salad dressing have a much lower incidence of heart attacks (3).
More than 30 years ago, reports showed that Greenland Eskimos had a very low incidence of heart
attacks. Researchers attributed their protection from heart attacks to the omega-3 fish oils that they ate.
Many people today still think that you have to eat deep water fish to get these oils, but this is not true.
You can get the oils from the germ found in many seeds. Since the germ is removed when these foods
are converted to flour, you cannot get the essential omega-3 fatty acids from most bakery products and
pastas. To prevent heart attacks, eat a diet rich in sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
1) GISSI Prevenzione Investigators. Dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitmin E after
myocardial infarction: results of the GISSI-Prevenzione trial. Lancet 1999(August 7);354:447-455.
2)D Li, A Sinclair, A Wilson, S Nakkote, F Kelly, L Abedin, N Mann, A Turner. Effect of dietary alpha-linolenic acid on
thrombotic risk factors in vegetarian men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, Vol 69, Iss 5, pp 872-882.
3) FB Hu, MJ Stampfer, JAE Manson, EB Rimm, A Wolk, GA Colditz, CH Hennekens, WC Willett. Dietary intake of
alpha-linolenic acid and risk of fatal ischemic heart disease among women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999,
Vol 69, Iss 5, pp 890-897.
Copyright 2003 www.DrMirkin.com
Dr. Mirkin's opinions and the references cited are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.
For more recipes, refer to the The Healthy Heart Miracle book.
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