Indication: Blood pressure

Source: Hypertension, June 4, 2007 [Epub ahead of print]

Research: Data are lacking on food omega 3 fatty acids and blood pressure in general populations. The International Study of Macro- and Micro-nutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP) is an international cross-sectional epidemiologic study of 4680 men and women aged 40 to 59 from 17 population-based samples in China, Japan, U.K., and U.S. Researchers reported associations of food omega 3 intake (total, linolenic acid, long-chain) of individuals with blood pressure. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured 8 times at 4 visits.

Results: With several models to control for possible confounders (age, weight, exercise, salt intake, etc.), researchers found high dietary intake of omega 3 fatty acids to be associated with 0.6 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and 0.6 mmHg lower diastolic blood pressure, on average, for the entire group. Re-searchers also noticed about 1.0 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and 1.0 lower diastolic blood pressure among the 2239 people who were not on a special diet or taking supplements or medication to treat high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. Lastly, researchers found 0.9 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and 0.9 mmHg lower diastolic blood pressure among the 2038 people without high blood pressure. The effect of omega 3’s on blood pressure was more pronounced among those not taking medication or who had already developed high blood pressure.