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"In the last five years or so, omega-3 fatty acids have been touted as almost a cure-all. They improve brain health, they ward off wrinkles, they decrease the risk of cancer and, more than anything else, they lower the risk of heart disease. Unfortunately, like many disease-fighting food claims, a new study suggests they may not be as good as previously thought. According to Time.com, a Dutch study published online in the New England Journal of Medicine found that among heart-attack survivors, those who upped their intake of omega-3s showed the same risk of a second heart attack as those who did not increase their omega-3 intake. The researchers did speculate that many of the 4,837 men and women in the study were already being treated for heart disease with medications ranging from cholesterol-lowering statins to antihypertension drugs, which perhaps already decreased their risks for a second occurrence. It seems studies come out all the time proving and disproving the same theories, whether it&amp;#039;s omega-3s and heart-health, green tea and cancer or the rate of global warming. To clarify, the study&amp;#039;s lead author, Professor Daan Kromhout of Wageningen University, insisted the results should not discourage people from substituting omega-3 fats for animal fats when they can. But it&amp;#039;s also important to take any study with a grain of salt. You don&amp;#039;t have to do a study to know that keeping your weight down, exercising, eating a healthy, well-rounded diet and avoiding toxins like smoking and too much sun, are all habits of a healthy life. But you also don&amp;#039;t have to do a study to know there are no sure ways to avoid anything, from cancer to a plane crash, so you just have to be smart and careful but continue to enjoy life\u2014there&amp;#039;s been at least one study that shows happiness, laughter, family etc. lead to longevity as well. But of course, we all read the news about these studies and try to apply the results to our own lives. If heart healthy is of concern to you, whether you have been diagnosed or just have a family history of heart disease, Create a Heart-Healthy Life Plan, to keep yourself on track and working in the right direction. - Alexandra Gekas, Associate Editor "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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