Fish Oil May Protect Against Heart Disease

Japanese men may have lower rates of heart disease than their American counterparts because they eat more fish, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Omega-3 acids found in fish may protect Japanese men from heart disease, even though their rates of cholesterol, blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes are similar as those of American men.

Dr. Akira Sekikawa studied 281 Japanese men living in the United States, 280 living in Japan, and 306 Caucasian males. All participants underwent periodic blood tests. The men living in Japan had the highest rates of omega-3 acids in their bodies and the least amount of plaque build-up in their arteries.

Japanese people eat about three ounces of fish a day, while Americans eat less than two servings a week.