Women who eat fish can significantly reduce their risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), according to the December issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. While researchers have known that eating fish can help prevent CAD in men, a new study provides insights about the connection for women.
Women who ate fish five or more times a week reduced risk of CAD by 34 percent compared with women who ate fish less than once a month. Even women who ate fish as infrequently as once a month showed a 21 percent reduction in risk of CAD.
Researchers speculate the omega-3 fatty acids -- which are high in salmon, tuna, sardines, bluefish and mackerel -- may reduce triglycerides, make blood less likely to form clots and may help stop irregular heart beats.
The study, published in the April 10, 2002, issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association followed 84,688 women over 16 years.
Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.
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