Exercise, Fish Oil Keep Arteries Clear
(HealthDayNews, 6/17/04)

Professor Tom Thomas and fellow researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia studied recreationally active men, assigning one group to eat a fatty meal after exercising; a second group to eat a fatty meal after taking 4 grams of fish oil; a third to eat a fatty meal after exercising and taking fish oil; and a fourth to eat a fatty meal only.  The investigators reported a 38% drop in peak triglyceride levels in subjects taking a fish oil supplement before the-fatty meal and a 50% drop in those who both exercised and took fish oil before the meal.  The researchers found that the muscle cells of people who do prolonged, aerobic exercise can quickly break down triglycerides and taking fish oil further reduces triglycerides, a fat that can cause hardening of the arteries.