Live Longer: Fish & Vegetables Found to Decrease Risk of Death Among Older People, New Study Suggests

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A recently-published study has shown that regular consumption of fish and vegetables can decrease incidences of death among older adults.

The study, published in the journal Circulation, found that polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish and vegetables can promote healthy cholesterol levels and decrease chances of dying from heart disease. These "healthy" fats can be found in foods like salmon, trout, herring, corn, olive, sunflower and soybean, to name a few.

Ulf Riserus, the study's lead author and nutrition researcher at Sweden's Uppsala University and colleagues tested different fat levels of more than 4,000 older Swedish men and women. Subjects are 60 years old.

"The study supports current dietary guidelines that advise having sufficient intake of both fish and vegetable oils in a heart-healthy diet," Dr.Riserus said in an email, Reuters noted.

The researchers found that adults with significantly higher blood levels of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats were less likely to die from heart disease or any other kind of illness.

The current dietary guidelines recommend that adults take only about 20% to 35% of daily calories from fats. From this amount, no more than 10% of calories must come from saturated fats. According to the Tech Times, it is not recommended to consume trans fats, the type considered "bad" or unhealthy for the body.

What are these life-prolonging fats?

EPA and DHA, two fatty acids present in fish, were found to lower the chances of death by approximately 20%. Meanwhile, linoleic acid (LA) found in vegetable oils lessened the risk of death by 27% among men, but not in women.

Though not involved in the study, Dr. Edmond Kabagambe of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine expressed, "It is not so clear why there were differences between men and women but it could simply be due to sample size differences and the differences in baseline risk for men and women," Reuters quoted.

More than just quantity, the researchers also noted that the kind of fat consumed must be considered, along with one's cardiovascular risks.

In the course of roughly 15 years, 265 men and 191 women died. Two hundred and ninety-four men and 190 women had cardiovascular health problems such as heart attacks.

Samantha Heller, a nutritionist from New York University's Centre for Musculoskeletal Care and Sports performance, though not involved in the study, noted that there is no "miracle food" that can promise immortality.

The Daily Times quoted Heller as saying, "The lifestyle as a whole must be considered, including daily physical activity and eating less animal foods like meat, cheese and butter. It is easiest to encourage people to eat a variety of plant foods such as salads, trail mix, roasted vegetables, pasta primavera, almond butter and banana sandwiches, lentil soup, or edamame hummus."