Eating omega-3s, found in oily fishes, like salmon and sardines, may stave off age-related vision loss, or macular degeneration (AMD).

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, experts found among the 1,837 people studied, those consuming the most omega-3 fatty acids were 30% less likely to develop AMD.

Researchers tracked participants for 12 years. In that time, 52% of the people developed one form of AMD, either “wet” or “dry.”

But people getting omega-3s, both DHA and EPA, had the lowest risk of AMD.

The findings lead researchers to recommend incorporating omega-3s into a diet as a way of preventing age-related vision problems.

For people who don’t eat animal products, i.e. vegans and vegetarians, omega-3 supplements derived from algae or plankton are available.

Via Reuters.

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Omega-3 fatty acids, or “healthy” fats, may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, but only in whites.

Presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, experts found omega-3’s slow the growth of tumors.

Additionally, omega-3’s might slow down the spreading of colon cancer, or metastasis.

The findings are sketchy, but researchers suspect there is an inverse relationship between the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and colon cancer.

For the study, scientists analyzed the link between fatty acid intake and bowel cancer among nearly 2,000 people, using a questionnaire to assess each person’s diet. And data revealed people who consumed more omega-3’s had a lower risk of cancer.

But this association did not occur in black participants, prompting the researchers to say further studies must be conducted to determine why this relationship does not exist in blacks.

Most people assume omega-3 fatty acids are only found in fish, but walnuts are another source of healthy fats. Omega-3’s have been linked to brain health as well.

Via EurekAlert!

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It sounds obvious. Eating fatty foods, raises cholesterol, clogs arteries, and then WHAM you have a heart attack.

Shouldn’t be a surprise when it happens, but for millions of people it’s a real shocker.

So, a new study aims to clarify the risk, in case you didn’t know.

Published in the journal Circulation, a new study found people with high non-HDL cholesterol, which includes LDL, or bad, cholesterol had 13% higher risk of heart attack.

But on the other hand, individuals with high HDL, or good, cholesterol had a 25% lower risk of heart attack.

So researchers suggest cholesterol altering therapies for both HDL and LDL cholesterol should be considered for heart patients.

Foods that lower bad cholesterol, because they don’t have any, are fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats, like omega 3’s, contained in things like walnuts, have been shown to be cardio-protective.

Via HealthDay News.

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