· Omega 3 fish oil may slow the “biologic clock” of cells. This is according to a recent article published in the January 20, 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

· Researchers have found that higher blood levels of the omega 3 fish oils are associated with a slowing of the cellular time clock. Cells use the redundant DNA at the end of chromosomes as a biologic clock. Every time a cell divides, it loses some of this redundant DNA called a ‘Telomere‘. When the telomere runs out, the cell stops dividing and dies.

· Authors of this study showed that higher levels of omega 3 fish oils were associated with a decrease in the shortening of the telemere over a five year study. Researchers studied over 600 patients who participated in the Heart and Soul Study between the years 2000 and 2002. Researchers measured the telomere length and omega-3 fish oils docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) of the patients at the beginning and the end of the study. The participants were divided into four quartiles based on the amount of omega 3 fish oils in their blood. The group with the lowest levels of Omega 3 fish oils were noted to have the fastest rate of telomere shortening. The group with the highest blood levels of Omega 3 fish oils had the slowest rate of telomere shortening.

Since telomere length is directly related to cellular aging, a longer telomere, or slowing the telomere loss, will increase cellular longevity and, in essence, slow the aging of your cells.

Omega 3 fatty acids are not produced in your body. Omega 3 fatty acids need to be obtained by eating certain fish or a supplement of fish oil capsules or liquid form.

Cristopher Geiler, M.D.