Life expectancy is affected by a number of different factors, such as genetics, illness and injuries beyond our control, diet and how often you exercise.
Health experts explain that smoking is considered one of the worst health habits, as it is not only the main cause of lung cancer around the world, but it can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
But scientists have revealed that a lack of omega-3 in the diet can shorten your life more than smoking.
They found that smoking reduced life expectancy by 4 years, while low levels of fatty acids, found mainly in oily fish such as salmon, could limit life expectancy by 5 years.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, used statistics from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) - one of the longest running studies in the world.
The FHS provided unique insights into cardiovascular risk factors, including age, sex, smoking, treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes status, systolic blood pressure and cholesterol.
The scientists found that measuring fatty acids could predict mortality similarly to standard risk factors.
“This indicates the strength of the omega-3 index as a risk factor, and it should be considered as important as other risk factors, perhaps more so,” explained co-author Dr. Bill Harris, president of the Fatty Acids Research Institute.
Foods rich in omega-3 include:
- Fish and other seafood.
-Nuts and seeds.
-Vegetable oils.
Our diet should be well-planned.
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