In a prospective cohort study published in JAMA (2010; 303(3):250–257), researchers examined the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid status and cellular aging in 608 patients with heart disease. Blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured, and cellular aging was assessed by evaluating telomere length. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from damage or abnormal fusion, and their shortening is considered a marker of cellular aging. Over five years of follow-up, participants with the lowest levels of EPA and DHA experienced the greatest rate of telomere shortening, while those with higher omega-3 levels showed slower telomere shortening. These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with slower cellular aging.