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The following is a new study for the many medical benefits of olive, Nuts and fish. Let us read…… |
Omega 3 and our eyes
In a new study, researchers reported that regularly eating fish, nuts, olive oil and other foods containing omega-three fatty acids is associated with a lower risk for the eye disease age-related macular degeneration.
According to the study the American scientists say that by 2020, as many as 3 million Americans are expected to have late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss among individuals older than 65 in the developed world. Established risk factors include age, genetic markers and smoking.
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In one report, Jennifer S.L. Tan, M.B.B.S., B.E., of Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia, and colleagues studied 2,454 participants in the Blue Mountains Eye Study, which began in 1992 to 1994. At that time, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire that was analyzed to determine their intake of various fatty acids.
After adjusting for age, sex and smoking, eating one serving of fish per week was associated with a 31 percent lower risk of developing early AMD. The association was stronger among individuals with a lower intake of linoleic acid, an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils. Eating one to two servings of nuts per week was associated with a 35 percent lower risk of early AMD.
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"In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis that increased intake of omega-three polyunsaturated fatty acids and regular consumption of fish and/or nuts in the diet may protect against the development of early AMD,” Jennifer said. These fatty acids may protect the eyes by preventing the buildup of plaque in the arteries or reducing inflammation, blood vessel formation and oxygen-related cell damage in the retina.
In another study Elaine W.T Chong, M.D., Ph.D., M.Epi., of the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and colleagues analyzed data from 6,734 individuals age 58 to 69. Between 1990 and 1994, participants' nutrient intakes were assessed from a food frequency questionnaire, and they were tracked for the development of AMD between 2003 and 2006. During the follow-up period, 2,872 cases of early AMD and 88 cases of late AMD developed.
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Individuals who consumed higher levels of trans-unsaturated fats-found in baked goods and processed foods-were more likely to have late AMD, whereas those who consumed the most omega-three fatty acids were less likely to have early AMD. "Olive oil intake (100 milliliters or more per week vs. less than 1 milliliter per week) was associated with decreased prevalence of late AMD," Elaine said. "No significant associations with AMD were observed for intakes of fish, total fat, butter or margarine." Elaine added.
Many other benefits of Walnut Oil
Diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may prepare the body to deal better with stress, according to a team of Penn State researchers who looked at how these foods, which contain polyunsaturated fats, influence blood pressure at rest and under stress.
Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce low density lipoproteins (LDL) -- bad cholesterol.
"People who show an exaggerated biological response to stress are at higher risk of heart disease," said Sheila G. West, associate professor of bio behavioral health. "We wanted to find out if omega 3-fatty acids from plant sources would blunt cardiovascular responses to stress."
In the previous study the researchers studied 22 healthy adults with elevated LDL cholesterol. All meals and snacks were provided during three diet periods of six weeks each. The researchers found that including walnuts and walnut oil in the diet lowered both resting blood pressure and blood pressure responses to stress in the laboratory.
"This is the first study to show that walnuts and walnut oil reduce blood pressure during stress," said west. "This is important because we can't avoid all of the stressors in our daily lives. This study shows that a dietary change could help our body’s better respond to stress."
Fish oil and pregnancy
Among the most recent researches, scientists believe in the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in both the development of a healthy baby and in the health of the mother.
Omega-3s have been found to be essential for both neurological and early visual development of the baby. However, the standard western diet is severely deficient in these critical nutrients.
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This omega-3 dietary deficiency is compounded by the fact that pregnant women become depleted in omega-3s, since the fetus uses omega-3s for its nervous system development. Omega-3s are also used after birth to make breast milk. With each subsequent pregnancy, mothers are further depleted. Research has confirmed that adding EPA and DHA to the diet of pregnant women has a positive effect on visual and cognitive development of the child. Studies have also shown that higher consumption of omega-3s may reduce the risk of allergies in infants.
Physicians believe that Omega-3 deficiency increases the mother's risk for depression. This may explain why postpartum mood disorders may become worse and begin earlier with subsequent pregnancies.
Omega 3 and breast cancer
Scientists say that omega 3 may help in breast cancer. According to recent studies, omega-3 fatty acids are a good source of lignans -- compounds that may have a weak estrogen effect. When a weak estrogen-like substance takes the place of our body’s natural strong estrogen in a breast cell’s estrogen receptor, then the weak substance can act as a relative anti-estrogen.
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By acting in this way, lignans might help work against breast cancer that depends on estrogen for its growth.
Sources of omega3
Nutrition experts tell us that we can find the omega3 in the following foods:
Fish (Tuna -Salmon -Catfish-Red snapper-Shark-King mackerel), Nuts and Olive oil . Also, it can be taken in form of pills as a substitute of eating food containing omega3.
Olive, fish and fruits are in Qur’an
Allah Almighty told Muslims 1400 years ago about the many benefits in some plants and fish meat as He Almighty says: (And He it is Who has subjected the sea (to you), that you eat thereof fresh tender meat (i.e. fish)){Sûrat An-Nahl – The Bees -verse14}.
Also in another verse Allah Almighty refers to the benefits in oil by saying: (And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters.){Sûrat Al-Mu’minûn -The Believers-verse20}
In another verse Allah Almighty reminds us with all good plants that He Almighty created for us that contains many benefits as He Almighty says: (Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein much fruit is for you, and whereof you eat.) {Sûrat Al-Mu’minûn -The Believers-verse19}.
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By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel
References:
• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149699.php
• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/203463.php
• http://bbh.hhdev.psu.edu/directory/biolist.aspx
• http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/20/3042980.htm
• http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/omega3fishoil.html
• http://www.cera.org.au/uploads/2008pubs.pdf http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/everyone/nutrition/foods/omega3s.jsp
