28 September 2009
A combination of omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 may decrease blood pressure and heart rate in kidney disease patients, reports a new study.
The results of the randomized controlled trial showed that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving omega-3 fatty acids (4 grams) for 8 weeks experienced a 3.3 and 2.9 mmHg decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a reduction of heart rate of 4.0 beats per minute (1). Furthermore, triglyceride levels decreased by 24 percent in this group.
In the group receiving omega-3 fatty acids plus coenzyme Q10 (200 mg), systolic and diastolic blood pressure improved by 2.7 and 3.4 mmHg, respectively. CoQ10 did not benefit blood pressure and was associated with a slight increase in heart rate.
The researchers commented that the finding of an interaction between omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10 on blood pressure is difficult to explain in view of the lack of effect of CoQ10 alone on blood pressure and needs confirmation.
According to the publication, CKD increases the risk of heart disease two- to 50-fold and increases the prevalence of all-cause mortality and hospitalization. Modifiable risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension). By lowering blood pressure, omega-3 fatty acids may reduce cardiovascular risk in non-diabetic patients with moderate-to-severe CKD.
8 April 2015
A new paper from the Oregon State University suggests that low zinc status in the elderly (>65 years) could be due to epigenetic changes relating to IL-6 expression resulting in increased inflammation and risk of chronic disease.
6 March 2013
A new US study suggests that diets high in beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of developing colorectal adenomas.
24 July 2015
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition in elderly people associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. At present, there are no effective pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), so scientists are now concentrating their efforts on finding effective interventions in the pre-clinical stages of dementia, such as MCI.
