Overlooked fatty acid SLASHES deaths and hospitalizations

I’ve sung the praises of omega-3 fatty acids many times here in Living Well Daily.

I’ve encouraged you to be sure you’re getting enough of the omega-3s eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by eating plenty of cold-water fatty fish and taking supplements when needed.

And there’s a good reason for that. EPA and DHA are vital for our heart and brain health. Yet these essential fatty acids are almost entirely missing from many people’s diets.

But there’s another omega-3 most folks have never even heard of. This fatty acid is never in the spotlight.

In fact, it hardly gets any attention at all!

I’m talking about alpha-linolenic acid or ALA. And this unsung hero may FINALLY get some of the praise it deserves.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people with more ALA in their blood are less likely to die from heart disease AND all-cause death than folks with the lowest levels of this fatty acid.

When the researchers took a deeper dive into the data, they also uncovered some good news for folks with heart failure. There was a 39 percent reduction in all-cause death and hospitalizations for the volunteers with heart failure who also had the HIGHEST levels of ALA.

While fish oil is rich in EPA and DHA, ALA is mainly found in plants.

Good sources of ALA include…

  • flaxseeds
  • chia seeds
  • walnuts

Seed oils, or so-called vegetable oils, can also be a source of ALA. But those inflammatory oils are so processed they’re essentially toxic to your body, causing more harm than good in the end.

When you bump up your ALA levels, you’re not just fighting heart disease either. Studies have shown that ALA is also good for weight loss and fighting diabetes, skin aging, and memory issues.

The best way to ensure you’re getting enough ALA is to eat nuts or use a cold-pressed oil (such as flax oil). ALA supplements are also available.

P.S. ALA may be able to help you avoid DYING from heart failure. But THIS 30-second trick could fight off the disease in the first place. Even better, it doesn’t cost a penny and has zero side effects.

Source:

“Relationship of Circulating Vegetable Omega-3 to Prognosis in Patients With Heart Failure,” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022 Nov, 80 (18) 1751–1758

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Is A Home Blood Pressure Cuff Worth the Money?

We all know that keeping blood pressure under control is crucial for heart health. If you’re like most people, you get yours checked every year at your annual physical. But should it be looked at MORE often? And is a home blood pressure cuff worth the investment? Keep reading to find out… I’ll get right...

Read This

Is Aspirin Really a Colon Cancer Fix? (Not So Fast!)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Scientists discover a pill that might help prevent a serious disease. Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast. The latest “miracle cure” making headlines is none other than good old aspirin, which researchers now claim might help reduce colorectal cancer risk in people with unhealthy lifestyles. But...

Read This

Mailbag: Diarrhea Remedies That Really Work

“I have had diarrhea for 6 months. I’m going crazy and don’t know how to stop it! Please help!” – Can’t Stop Running Dear Can’t Stop, Few things disrupt life like battling a bout of diarrhea. Diarrhea is typically defined as having three or more loose, watery stools daily. If you experience this for over...

Read This

Take the SHORTER Path to Dramatically Better Health

Are you tired of fitness gurus preaching the virtues of 5 AM workouts and pushing Olympic-level training regimens? Their narrative can feel exhausting and entirely unattainable. But before you toss in the towel completely, I’ve got news that might just put a spring back into your step. A groundbreaking new study reveals that the key...

Read This

Unexpected Perks of Your Coffee Habit Revealed!

We all know that the first cup of coffee in the morning can FEEL like a lifesaver. But what if it might actually BE saving your life? A groundbreaking new study suggests that your daily coffee habit could be protecting you from not just one but multiple chronic diseases. Let’s pour over this fascinating research…...

Read This

The TRUTH About Diabetes Drugs and Brain Aging

You’ve probably seen the gushing headlines… Most say something like, “Common diabetes drug protects the brain against aging!” And let’s face it, that sounds fantastic. After all, who doesn’t want to keep their brain young and in tip-top shape? The headlines refer to the results of a new study that suggests the widely prescribed type...

Read This

Hidden Smartphone Danger Puts You at Risk

Remember when we thought cell phones were just something for young folks to obsess over? Back when we were convinced they were nothing more than a passing fad? Well, times certainly have changed. Now, most people… including many of us older folks… have jumped on the smartphone bandwagon. Heck, some of us are practically as...

Read This

Preserve Your Mobility with “Agile Aging” Exercises

Aging has a way of humbling us. You lose hair where you want to keep it—and often end up growing it where you don’t. With every passing year, your eyesight fades, and your waistline expands. And as your once quick pace begins to slow, you fear developing the dreaded “senior shuffle.” But here’s the thing....

Read This

Yes, Lazy Saturday Lie-Ins Can BOOST Your Health

Are you burning the midnight oil during the week and catching up on sleep on weekends? Well, I’ve got some news that might help you feel less guilty about those lazy Saturday mornings. A new study suggests that weekend lie-ins might be doing far more than just helping you feel refreshed. Experts say they could...

Read This

Mailbag: 7 Hidden Culprits Behind Your Weight Gain

“Why am I gaining weight, even though I am watching what I am eating?” – Battling the Bulge Dear Battling, Gaining weight when you’re not trying to is frustrating. And it just gets worse as we age… often regardless of our diet. The truth is that various factors can promote weight gain even when you’re...

Read This