"As we age, hormone secretion and cell responsiveness decrease, possibly due to loss of cell membrane fluidity or alteration of the membrane," said Dr. S. Mitchell Harman, MD, PhD, director and president of KLRI. "Animal studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help hormone signals get into cells whose cell membrane has been stiffened by age."
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in certain natural foods, such as fish, especially salmon and tuna. They are known to help protect against heart disease. KLRI examined the effects of a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids on the loss of normal hormone balance that occurs during normal aging. KLRI recruited men and women over the age of 60 to investigate whether a high omega-3 fatty acid diet would improve their endocrine function.