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Ageing

Omega-3 supplements: How over 65s can stay out of hospital


Date: 23/01/06
 
Keywords:
Would you like to save a few billion pounds? Unfortunately I'm not talking about a few billion in savings for you and me personally.

Would you like to save a few billion pounds?

Unfortunately I'm not talking about a few billion in savings for you and me personally. (To save that kind of money we'd have to own our own oil companies.) But according to a new study, you and I and others could help the NHS save billions in health care costs over the next five years.

And even though your share of the savings might be modest, your personal share of wellness could be quite significant.

Omega-3 supplements may reduce hospitalisations
Last year, US researchers at the Lewin Group (a health care consulting and research firm) were commissioned by the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA) to estimate the potential health care savings that might result if all adults over the age of 65 regularly took these two supplements for five years:

* Omega-3 fatty acids (1,800 mg per day)
* A combination of lutein and zeaxanthin (6-10 mg per day)

Based on the known cardiovascular benefits associated with omega-3 supplements that contain EPA and DHA, the Lewin team offered a 'conservative' estimate that reduced physician fees and hospitalisations would result in more than $3 billion in savings over five years.

And based on the proven vision benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin supplements, researchers estimated that more than 98,000 seniors would avoid age-related vision loss, fractures associated with vision loss, and dependence on nursing facilities. The resulting health care savings might be as much as $2.5 billion over five years.

Thankfully in the UK, the NHS foots most of our medical bills. But just think, if our senior citizens followed suit and took these omega-3 supplements they could also reap the same health benefits.

And its not just money they could save. Any reduction in the amount of time spent queuing in doctors surgeries and picking up prescriptions is a bonus.

I really do believe the old adage Prevention is better than cure.

Ward off age-related macular degeneration
The Lewin research is very promising. When EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docohexaenoic acid) are combined, these two essential fatty acids have been shown to contribute to the prevention of heart disease, depression, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, influenza, hyperactivity, and even some forms of cancer.

Dark meat fish and fish oil supplements are the best sources of omega-3 with EPA and DHA.

As for lutein and zeaxanthin, they're the only dietary carotenoids present in the lens of the eye. Previous studies have indicated that a sufficient intake of these nutrients may protect the lens and reduce the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration, the two leading forms of age-related vision loss.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are key components of a phytochemical called xanthophylls, a powerful antioxidant that has the unique characteristic of being able to cross the blood brain barrier more easily than most other antioxidants. (The blood brain barrier is a protective mechanism that prevents illness from spreading to neurologically sensitive areas, but it also stops many beneficial substances from getting through and protecting those areas.)

Good food sources of xanthophylls include corn, kiwi, red seedless grapes, orange-coloured peppers, spinach, celery, Brussels sprouts, scallions, broccoli and squash.

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