Fish

Indication: Heart disease in women

Source: Am J Clin Nutr, September 2004;80(3):626-632.

Research: This study investigated a prospective cohort of 229 postmeno­pausal women participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial. Usual fish intake was estimated at baseline with a food frequency questionnaire. Angiographies were performed at baseline and at three years to determine changes in the diameter of their coronary arteries and to detect coronary lesions.

Results: The study found that women who ate one or more servings of tuna or dark fish per week had smaller changes in the minimum diameter of their coronary arteries than women who consumed other fish. The effect was even more pronounced in women with diabetes. Researchers concluded that consumption of fish is associated with a significantly reduced progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in women with coronary artery disease.