The randomized study, published in the Chest Journal (2005, vol 127 issue 4), investigated the cardioprotective mechanisms of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) versus plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids (soy oil). Researchers from Emory University School of Medicine, in Atlanta, administered a daily 2 gram dose of either fish oil or soy oil to 58 elderly nursing home residents. The researchers measured the participants' heart rate variability (HRV) changes while resting supine every other day for 6 months. An HRV baseline for each participant was established by an initial 2 month period without supplementation.
At the end of the study, the researchers found that all of the participants demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac function. However, those participants taking fish oil supplements experienced positive results more quickly than the participants taking soy oil. "Supplementation with 2g/d of fish oil was well tolerated and was associated with a significant increase in HRV," the study authors conclude. "Supplementation with 2g/d of soy oil was associated with a lesser but significant increase in HRV."
Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 20, 2006 06:58 PM
