Omega-3 'may reduce blood pressure'

If you want to lower your blood pressure, a diet containing fish, nuts and seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help, new research suggests.

An international study - published in the journal Hypertension - examined data from 4,680 people aged 40 to 59 living in Britain, Japan, China and the US. After taking into account factors known to affect blood pressure like age, salt intake and weight, the researchers found that people with diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids had slightly lower blood pressure on average than people who ate food with less of the nutrient.

"If you can reduce blood pressure a few millimetres from eating less salt, losing a few pounds, avoiding heavy drinking, eating more vegetables, whole grains and fruits - for their fibre, minerals, vegetable protein and other nutrients - and getting more omega-3 fatty acids, then you've made a big difference," said lead researcher Dr. Hirotsugu Ueshima of Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan.

Previous research has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids can help protect against heart disease and improve brain development. Fatty fish such as trout, salmon and mackerel, and walnuts and flaxseed oil are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

A separate study by Duke University Medical Center in the US, found that flaxseed - an edible seed that is rich in omega-3 - is effective in halting prostate tumour growth.

Read Go nuts! - but not too crazy… and Salt - tips for reducing your intake.