Omega-3 Intake Is Negatively Associated with Phenotypic Aging

by | Oct 30, 2024 | 2024, Aging, DHA, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Omega - 3

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Researchers observed a significant negative correlation between omega-3 intake and phenotypic age acceleration [beta= -0.4, P < 0.001].

fats and oils - omega 3Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are essential components of cell membranes that are vital to cognitive health exhibiting both neurogenesis and neuroprotective effects1. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and maintaining healthy body composition and metabolic rate2,3.  All the combined positive impacts of omega-3 fatty acids support the overall anti-aging effect of omega-3 fatty acids4. In the current trial, researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] to investigate any association between dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake and phenotypic age acceleration4.

Phenotypic age acceleration refers to the difference between an individual’s chronological age [from birth date to present r death] and an individual’s phenotypic age [biological age]5. Previous research has shown a positive correlation between phenotypic age and both all-cause and cause specific mortality6. In this trial, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] between 1999 and 2018 was used to select adults qualified for this analysis. The NHANES is comprised of a comprehensive evaluation of medical, dental, biochemical markers, dietary, socioeconomic, demographic, and health related information. Among 116,132 participants, 20,337 eligible adults were included in the final analysis. Omega-3 intake was calculated from food frequency questionnaires used during the information collection process along with 24h dietary recall. Individuals were categorized into four groups based on phenotypic age acceleration. Linear regression modeling was used to assess any association between omega-3 intake and phenotypic age acceleration.

Of the 20,337 adults eligible for this analysis, Researchers observed most participants across all quartiles of phenotypic age acceleration were non-Hispanic white. Quartile 1 consisted mostly of females (72.27%) and quartile 4 mostly males (69.47%). Researchers observed that as phenotypic age acceleration increased the proportion of individuals with BMI ≥ 30 also increased and the healthy eating index decreased. Physical activity was significantly higher in quartile 1 compared to other quartiles. Overall, after adjusting for all covariates, researchers observed a significant negative correlation between omega-3 intake and phenotypic age acceleration [beta= -0.4, P < 0.001]. Researchers also observed a nonlinear trend suggesting a threshold effect [P = 0.022]. Subgroup analysis of male participants also showed a significant negative association between omega-3 intake and phenotypic age acceleration after adjusting for all covariates [beta= – 0.485, P < 0.0001]. Researchers also observed a threshold effect in the male subgroup analysis at 0.461 grams/day [P = 0.0042]. In the female subgroup analysis, researchers also observed a significant negative association between omega-3 fatty acid intake and phenotypic age acceleration [P = 0.011]. No threshold or inflection point was observed in the nonlinear analysis for females. Overall analysis showed that omega-3 intake ≤ 1.103 grams/day Is associated with improved phenotypic age acceleration [P = 0.001]. However, beyond that dose, no significant improvement is observed. Researchers also found that race (non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white)[P = 0.01], age [P = 0.02] and  hypertension [P = 0.002] had a significant interactive effect on the correlation between omega-3 fatty acid intake and phenotypic age acceleration.

In all, data from the NHANES showed a significant negative correlation between omega-3 fatty acid intake and phenotypic age acceleration with a threshold at 1.103 grams/day. Additional research will be needed to verify these results.

Source: Wu, Dongzhe, Yishuai Jia, Yujia Liu, and Mingyu Shang. “Dose–response relationship of dietary Omega-3 fatty acids on slowing phenotypic age acceleration: a cross-sectional study.” Frontiers in Nutrition 11 (2024): 1424156.

© 2024 Wu, Jia, Liu and Shang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted October 30, 2024. 

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

References:

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