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People
are urged to eat oily fish for the beneficial omega-3
fatty acids.
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Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids found in oily fish like salmon and
tuna could prevent a heart attack by stopping dangerous irregular
heart rhythms, according to a study.
The findings add to past studies, which have shown that eating
oily fish or taking fish oil supplements can protect against
heart disease and stroke.
Researchers examined heart cells from unborn rats to determine
how fish oils protect the heart. The cells clump together
and beat rhythmically and simultaneously just like the whole
heart.
They found that the oils could prevent irregular heartbeats
by blocking excessive sodium and calcium currents, which can
result in excessive electrical discharges that cause erratic
heart rhythms.
The findings were backed up by one of the first studies on
the effects of omega-3 oils on the heart, conducted in 1989.
The study involved 2,033 men with heart disease who had been
told to eat extra fat, fiber or fish.
After two years, researchers found that men who had eaten
fish at least twice a week had a 29 percent lower death rate
than the other men, which suggested that the fish oils helped
to prevent irregular heartbeats, and, therefore, heart attacks.
No benefit was found among the fiber or fat groups.
According to physicians, at least half of all heart attacks
are caused by irregular heartbeats.
Eating fresh or frozen oily fish is the best way to protect
the heart, according to researchers, and the British Heart
Foundation recommends eating at least two portions of oily
fish per week.
Circulation: Journal
of the American Heart Association June 3, 2003
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