Posted on 02/05/2022 8:31:26 AM PST by ConservativeMind
Two studies discussed how the Omega-3 Index relates to red blood cell (RBC) distribution width (a measure of cellular integrity) and explored the relationship between the Omega-3 Index and a balanced immune system.
Both studies observed benefits associated with higher blood omega-3 levels (EPA+DHA) in healthy people.
RBC cell deformability (i.e., ability to change shape) increases with Omega-3 Index.
"We used the RBC distribution width (RDW) because it is a standard way of assessing RBC size heterogeneity, which is related to proper cell membrane deformability," said Michael McBurney, Ph.D.
"Although RDW is used clinically to diagnose anemia, it has recently been shown to also predict risk of death from multiple diseases—i.e., cardiovascular, SARS-COV-2, sepsis, lung disease and cancer." he said.
The researchers found a relationship. In 25,485 individuals with no evidence of inflammation or anemia, a higher Omega-3 Index was still significantly associated with a lower (i.e., better) RDW.
The neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) measures the balance between the innate and adaptive immune system. NLR is also a biomarker of systemic inflammation, and like RDW, predicts higher risk of death from numerous chronic diseases. A normal NLR is roughly 1-3, with a score above 6 indicating mild stress and above 9 signaling critical illness.
The researchers observed inverse associations between the Omega-3 index and NLR, i.e., the higher the Omega-3 Index the lower the NLR. This was especially evident among individuals with an Omega-3 Index below 6.6% (an ideal Omega-3 index is considered to be 8% or higher). In these people, the NLR clearly rose as the Omega-3 Index fell; but above an Index of 6.6%, the NLR remained relatively stable.
"A high Omega-3 Index with low (i.e., healthier) levels of two novel biomarkers—RDW and NLR—help us understand why omega-3 fatty acids are good for us," said William S. Harris, Ph.D.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Average around $2.50 a tin at a typical supermarket. I grab them in bulk when they go on sale.
The reason I ask is that I can usually get them for roughly plus or minus dollar each at walmart or aldis. I usually choose the ones that are in water. I never see them there packed in olive oil. That might be better but its unlikely that the quality of the olive is all that great. Olive oil is best extra virgin 1st cold pressed. Wegman’s house brand california 1st cold pressed extra virgin olive oil is suprisingly cheap. Also, trader joes has some low cost high quality olive oil. Usually at aldis or walmart— they pack sardine tins with poorer quality oils or mustards. I’ll buy those if sardines in water is not available—and then washout the mustard or poor quality oil.
Buy it once and eat it.
Is your point that the sardines packed in olive oil are worth the extra buck?
To me, yes.
I will typically add sardines to my salad and then dose with olive oil and vinegar.
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