Wednesday, July, 22nd at 11:15 AM
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Obesity
New research published in the British Journal of Nutrition has shown that people with lower body mass indexes (BMI) have higher blood levels of essential fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. The researchers looked at 124 subjects and classified them by BMI as normal weight, overweight, or obese. Obese people had omega-3 levels of 4.53 per cent, compared to 5.25 per cent in their healthy-weight peers. Researchers do not yet know whether essential fatty acids play any role in helping people to lose weight or to maintain weight loss. It is not clear from the results of this study if the link is causal or a simple correlation, however researchers are hopeful that future studies will help to answer these questions. Essential fatty acids are known to support other areas of health such as brain, eye and cardiovascular health.
Source: British Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1017/S0007114509382173
“Plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are negatively associated with obesity”
Authors: M. Micallef, I. Munro, M. Phang, M. Garg
Reviewed and Prepared by:
Jacqueline Jacques, ND
Chief of Scientific Affairs
Bariatric Advantage
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