Life-prolonging Frequent fish-eating verifiably increases life expectancy

How can people increase their life expectancy??

People have always been looking for ways to live healthier and longer lives. A big part of our health and our life expectancy has our nutrition. Researchers have now found that a fish-rich diet can extend people's life expectancy.

The researchers from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine found in their recent research that if people regularly eat fish, they will have an improved life expectancy. The physicians published the results of their study in the English journal "Journal of Internal Medicine" (JIM).

Fish is healthy, tastes good and protects people from premature death from various diseases. (Image: coffeekai / fotolia.com)

Data came from the NIH-AARP study

The current study was conducted over a period of 16 years. This investigation involved nearly half a million men and women. The experts examined data from the NIH-AARP Nutrition and Health Study, which is the largest study ever conducted on health and nutrition. The nutritional habits and health of the participants were monitored medically. During the study, 54,230 men and 30,882 women died. The researchers concluded in the study that a fish-rich diet will result in a longer life.

What makes fish so healthy?

The consumption of fish has long been regarded as part of a healthy diet. Fish is rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins and healthy oils. Fish oils contain a lot of omega-3, which is commonly used in supplements nowadays.

Earlier results were often contradictory

Various studies have already dealt with omega-3. For example, these studies looked for possible associations that could lower the risk of cancer, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce inflammation. Other studies have tried to find links between omega-3 and mental health, aging and vision. Because the findings were often contradictory or weak, the relationship between a high-fiber diet, omega-3 intake and good health is still up for debate, say the experts.

Effects of fish consumption on male participants

Looking more closely at the data, the researchers found that the men who consumed the most fish had a nine percent lower mortality risk over the study period than those who consumed the least fish. Many fish-eating participants had a 10 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, six percent lower risk of death from cancer, 20 percent lower risk of death from respiratory disease, and 37 percent reduced risk of dying from chronic liver disease the authors of the study. The main finding of the current study is that eating fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids reduces overall mortality.

How much did female participants benefit from consuming fish??

For female participants, a general reduction in overall mortality by eight percent was measured. In addition, a reduced cardiovascular mortality of ten percent was found. The risk of dying from the consequences of Alzheimer's has been reduced by 38 percent, say the doctors.

Omega-3 fatty acids can protect against premature death

The scientists changed their analysis to focus specifically on the level of omega-3 uptake, which was calculated from the participants' nutritional surveys. They found that men and women who consumed the most omega-3 fatty acids had reduced cardiovascular mortality by 15 and 18 percent, respectively. The findings are intriguing and complement the evidence for the health benefits of omega-3 and fish in general, say the authors.

The fish should not be fried

Importantly, these results do not apply to fried fish. In the case of men, the consumption of fried fish had no influence on the risk of death. For women, higher intake of fried fish even increased the risk of cardiovascular mortality, respiratory disease mortality and overall mortality. There are likely to be a number of reasons for this impact. For example, frying the fish produces so-called trans fatty acids and also increases the energy density of the final product. These consequences of roasting could potentially remove all positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids, the experts speculate.

Fish is healthy and protects against disease and death

Consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids was strongly associated with lower mortality due to various causes. The results support the current guidelines for fish consumption, but better advice should be given on the preparation of fish, the study authors conclude. (As)