Research supports health benefits claimed for fish oil

Fish oil may be the true "elixir of youth" according to new evidence of its effect on ageing.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jan 2010, 15:21 BST
Updated 19th Jan 2010, 17:28 BST

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil extend the genetic “fuse” that determines the lifespan of cells, say scientists.

The discovery may explain many of the claimed health benefits of omega-3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Taking fish oil supplements is said to protect against heart disease, improve survival after a heart attack and reduce mental decline in old age.

The new research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that omega-3 has a direct effect on biological ageing by slowing down the rate at which protective caps on the ends of chromosomes shorten.