Evidence suggests that individuals with lupus are at increased risk of heart disease.  This isn’t particularly great news, however there is a lot that can be done with diet to reduce heart disease risk and inflammation, which contributes to heart disease.   Here are a few links to articles I have written with regards diet/nutrition and heart disease: More evidence links high sugar diet to increased risk of heart disease Refined carbohydrates linked again with increased risk of heart disease Women eating foods with a high glycaemic index could be increasing their risk for heart disease Replacing dietary fat with sugar and refined carbohydrates is probably damaging to health   General articles I have written about heart disease and diet can be found here   For more specific information about lupus and the research linking diet and lifestyle please see my research review

The health benefits of the long chain omega 3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are well documented.  As you can see from my past blog posts I have a real interest in the importance of these fats. These long chain fats are found in oily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines.  A new study (1), which involved over 300 Yup’ik Eskimos in Alaska, has found that a high intake of these omega 3 fatty acids may help to prevent obesity-related chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These Eskimos have around 20 times more long chain omega 3 fatty acids compared to normal western populations.     These Yup’ik Eskimos have a traditional diet which includes large volumes of oily fish. They also have a prevalence of overweight and obesity which is actually similar to that of the general U.S population. This meant that the researchers could study whether the long chain omega 3 fats could change the association between obesity and chronic disease risk.     The study involved 330 Yup’ik Eskimos living in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta region of southwest Alaska. *70% of these individuals were overweight or obese. *Study participants provided blood samples as well as health information. *Diet was assessed by asking participants what they ate in the past 24 hours. *Individuals were asked to keep a detailed food log for three consecutive days. *Height, weight, percent body fat, blood pressure and physical activity were measured.  ….

I have a great interest in Omega 3 fatty acids.  Research suggests that these essential fats play a role in the prevention of several diseases ranging from heart disease to cancer, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, osteoporosis, mood disorders (including depression), eye diseases and many more – including most conditions with a link to inflammation.  A major voice for the importance of these fats is Artemis Simopoulos MD.  Dr Simopoulos is president of The Centre for Genetics, Nutrition and Health and a member of the board of directors of the American Association for World Health.  Since 1984 her research has been largely dedicated to the evolutionary aspects of diet, the omega-6:omega-3 ratio of the diet and the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for health.   In an interview (1) Dr Simopoulos said that one of the biggest food myths today is that you have to give up fat to lose weight and enjoy health.  A statement I wholeheartedly agree with.  Of course, not all fats are the same and today I want to discuss the virtues of omega 3 fatty acids.  These can be found in fish, especially oily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines, seafood, as well as flaxseeds, walnuts and green leafy vegetables.  Meat and eggs in the UK do not contain large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids anymore since our farming methods have drastically changed over the years, this has contributed to the huge decline in our intakes of this vital fat.  Grass reared animals….