Omega -3 Fats cut your chance of death (or hospitalisation)

Omega-3 fatty-acid supplementation improved life expectancy and decreased incidence of death in symptomatic heart-failure patients according to a study released on medscape. Now what was interesting to note statins (a commonly prescribed drug) failed to have any beneficial effect in the same group of patients. Check out the report here

So if you didn't know already fat is good for you. The right type of fat that is. Saturated fats and monounsaturated fats are not nutrients, you do not need them (although you can use them to make energy), but polyunsaturated fats or oils are essential. Essential fats not only reduce risk of death and readmission to hospital from heart disease, but they can reduce the risk of cancer, allergies, eczema, depression, fatigue and even PMS. The two essential fats being omega 6 and omega 3.

The key is to get them in balance. Most diets however will be deficient in Omega 3 as it is properties are more prone to damage in cooking and food processing. Probably the best natural sources of Omega 3 include Hemp seed oil and Flax seed oil (cold pressed), flax seeds and pumpkin seeds. The right amount of omega 3 varies depending on which source you read (and your body requirements!). The optimum nutrition site has some sound nutritional advice.

Epilepsy Increases Drowning Risk

A recent article on Medscape reported that people with epilepsy have a high risk of drowning when compared to the general population. The article goes on to say,

"Researchers have quantified the risk and report that epilepsy raises the likelihood of drowning 15- to 19-fold — most probably as a result of seizures that occur during swimming or bathing [italics added]. The findings appear in the August 19, 2008 issue of Neurology. And so the article rolls painfully on stating that,

"People with epilepsy should still be encouraged to swim, but supervision is especially important," Dr. Sander said. "Patients need to be careful and should never enter the water without someone who knows about their condition and who can intervene, if necessary."

Now surely this is a no brainer. Its said that there is nothing common about sense, but surely by the very nature of the condition, developing a study that concludes that Epilepsy increases drowning risk is just plain stating the obvious. Its a bit like saying,

"people who are physically active are more likely to get fit then those who are not".

I'm not playing down the seriousness of the condition and that attention should be brought light about epilepsy and drowning, but come on people did you really need to invest time and money to do a study to come to this conclusion? I don't know, maybe its just me.

I guess I see a difference between research for the sake of research, and developing a study that will increase understanding and pushes forward for a solution. Its a thin line, but one that should be questioned rather than simply lapping up what researchers and scientists spew out.

You can check out the full medscape article on their website.