Dr. Betty Kamen, Ph.D.

Table Talk Health Hints

Nutrition Hints

from Betty Kamen, PhD, and Dr. Michael Rosenbaum, MD
Copyright © 2000-2005 by Nutrition Encounter, all rights reserved
May be redistributed only with full attribution
and a link to www.bettykamen.com
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Hint 2037: Daily omega-3 fatty acid supplementation prevents a decline in heart rate variability associated with indoor exposure to fine particulate matter, a common air pollutant.

Heart rate variability may increase the risk of a susceptible person to have a serious cardiac arrhythmia.

People who spend 92 percent of their time indoors were given soy oil or omega-3 fatty acids. The soy oil resulted in non-significant protection. But two grams of fish oil per day reduced the deleterious effects of arrhythmia significantly.

Researchers conclude that fish oil as a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid could be considered a potential form of preventive measure to reduce the risk of arrhythmia and sudden death in older people exposed to air pollution.

Source: American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine 2005;172:1534-1540.