Get your dose of omega-3 for a healthy heart

In conjunction with this year’s World Health Day themed ‘Building a fairer, healthier world’, Ayam Brand Malaysia calls for everyone to make a commitment towards healthy diets by consuming cleaner, leaner and tastier food at this difficult time.

Teoh Wei Ling, marketing manager at Ayam Brand Malaysia said heart-healthy omega-3 should be on the menu as it has many health benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally found in cold water fish, algae, other marine sources and in flax seeds. Saba and tuna are especially rich in omega-3, which study found can improve cardiovascular health, and are much tastier than popping omega-3 supplements.

“This year, let’s make a commitment to add one more serving of fish to your diet, as well as variety of fruits, vegetables each day, while cutting down on fried or sweet food. It can be a significant movement towards a healthier lifestyle.

“It is an easy and tasty way for consumers to add foods rich in omega-3 to their diet and fulfil the twice weekly servings of fish as recommended by the American Heart Association,” she said, adding that, “Eating tuna or saba regularly is an excellent and affordable source of lean protein and essential vitamins and minerals,” she added.

She said consumers can get all the goodness of omega-3 from Ayam Brand Tuna or Ayam Brand Saba which are ready-to-eat canned food, or can be used to create a variety of delicious meals such as sandwiches, fried rice, fried noodles and congee.

“With Ayam Brand Tuna or Saba, consumers can easily increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids and begin to enjoy the benefits of a balanced diet, an essential part of healthy living,” she added.

Teoh said the time is right now for consumers to get their daily dose of heart healthy omega-3 to enjoy the many health benefits as part of a balanced diet, including promoting brain health during childhood development, and throughout life.

“The fatty acids EPA and DHA are said to reduce the symptoms of dyslexia, ADHD, (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), and other learning, behavioural and coordination disorders in children,” she added.

She reminded ladies to get their daily omega-3 as studies have also found fatty acids in fish oil can improve skin barrier function, prevent UV-induced inflammation and hyperpigmentation, decrease itch and dry skin, and aid skin wound healing.

“Women are generally more likely to get osteoporosis than men as women tend to have smaller and thinner bones. In addition, the risk increases as women reach menopause due to the drop of oestrogen level which protects the bones.

“The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get 8 or more ounces of oily fish per week, at least 250mg/day of omega-3, as this level has been shown to maintain healthy bones,” she said.

Teoh said a study by the Association for International Cancer Research found that regular dose of Omega-3 consumption boosted skin immunity to sunlight. It reduced immunosuppression which interrupts the body’s capability to fight infection and skin cancer. Hence, omega-3 fish oils help to protect against skin cancer.

Studies have also found omega-3 can benefit seniors, including a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, other conditions of mental deterioration, and possibly age-related macular degeneration (AMD).