Latest news with #Omega-3


The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Classic cans, bold new bites
Ayam Brand reimagines sardines and mackerel for 'Makan Lain Macam' campaign. TRENDS may come and go, but some flavours stay timeless. For over 130 years, Ayam Brand sardines and mackerel have been a staple in Malaysian kitchens. While we always love familiar favourites like mackerel curry and sardine sambal, there's so much more you can do with a can. Beyond opening up a world of flavour and fun in the kitchen, Ayam Brand sardines and mackerel also pack a powerful nutritional punch that often goes unnoticed. According to a study titled Comparison of nutritional composition, chemical preservative, and glutamic acid content of canned food with freshly cooked and home-cooked food products published in 2021, Ayam Brand sardines can have up to seven times more Omega-3 than freshly cooked fish 1. Ayam Brand sardines and mackerels are also sustainably caught from cold seas and are naturally rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA 2, 3. These two types of 'healthy fats', in which the body does not naturally produce, are said to support key organs. Ayam Brand marketing head Teoh Wei Ling said Malaysians have always had a soft spot for the brand's sardines and mackerels. 'They have long been a familiar favourite across generations. It's comfort food that reminds you of home, of family, and of simpler times. 'Through Makan Lain Macam, we want to inspire Malaysians to have fun in the kitchen and see just how versatile these classics can be. 'While dishes like mackerel curry, sardine sambal or even roti sardine gulung will always have a place at the table, there's also something exciting about trying something different or new, knowing it's still packed with nutritious goodness,' she added. With just a can or two, Ayam Brand makes it easy to whip up dishes that feel familiar, taste refreshingly new, full of flavour and endless possibilities. Here are some must-try recipes: Sardine mac and cheese balls Think crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, sardine mac and cheese balls combines cheesy macaroni, melty cheese, and mashed sardines into bite-sized delights. Ingredients 1 can Ayam Brand Sardines in Tomato Sauce 1 cup macaroni, cooked 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese 1 cup cheddar cheese 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 11/4 cups milk 3 tablespoons chopped spring onions 2 to 3 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 2 eggs, beaten 11/3 cups breadcrumbs Instructions In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, garlic powder and salt. Stir until well combined. Slowly pour the milk in while continuously whisking until the mixture thickens. Stir in both cheeses and the sriracha sauce. Continue to cook and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the Ayam Brand Sardines in Tomato Sauce and cook for a few minutes until heated through, ensuring they're evenly mixed into the sauce. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese mixture and stir well. Transfer to a container and chill in the fridge for one hour to firm it up. Once chilled, scoop and shape the mixture into bite-sized balls. Freeze them for 30 minutes. Dip each ball into beaten egg and coat them with breadcrumbs. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C. Air-fry the balls for 10–12 minutes or until golden and crispy. Serve them hot and enjoy. Mackerel Masak Merah with butter rice Spicy and rich, mackerel Masak Merah is a bold twist on a Malaysian classic that comes together in minutes. Ingredients 1 can Ayam Brand Mackerel in Tomato Sauce 1 pack Ayam Brand Spicy Tomato Paste salt and sugar 6 cups rice 125g butter 1 1/2 cups fresh milk water coriander leaves 1 large onion 4 to 5 cloves garlic 2 to 3 cm ginger 1 stalk lemongrass, crushed 1 to 2 pandan leaves Instructions To prepare the butter rice, blend the onion, garlic, ginger, and pandan leaves into a fine paste, and saute the mix. In a wok, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the ground paste and pounded lemongrass, stir-frying until it's aromatic. Add washed and drained rice to the wok and stir it around for one to two minutes, ensuring it's well coated with the earlier paste. Pour in the fresh milk, stir to combine, and remove from heat. Transfer the rice mixture to the rice cooker. Add water (according to the required rice-to-water ratio) and season with salt to taste. To prepare the mackerel Masak Merah, heat some oil in a pan and saute Ayam Brand Spicy Tomato Paste until fragrant. Add the Ayam Brand Mackerel in Tomato Sauce and stir them together. Season it with salt to taste and serve hot with butter rice. 'Makan Lain Macam' isn't about reinventing the wheel, but reimagining the meals we already know and love, and having fun while making it. Ayam Brand's sardine and mackerel are available in four sizes (155g, 230g, 300g, 425g). For a limited time only, it is offering a buy-two-sardines or Mackerels (425g) and get-one-free Ayam Brand Fried Chilli Mackerel (155g), available at selected stores. Check out the full range of easy, fusion-friendly recipes at Follow @ayambrandmy on Instagram and Ayam Brand Malaysia on Facebook for fresh ideas, cooking tips, and more. References 1. Muhammad Ezzudin, et al. (2021) Comparison Of Nutritional Composition, Chemical Preservatives, And Glutamic Acid Content Of Canned Food With Freshly Cooked And Home-Cooked Food Products 2. Li, Jian-Jun, et al. (2022) Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Consensus Statement from the Experts' Committee of National Society of Cardiometabolic Medicine . 3. BDA (2025) Omega-3. BDA: The Association of UK Dieticians


The Hill
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Vitamin D supplements may slow aging: Study
Vitamin D does many wonders for the human body, and now, supplements have added one more. According to findings published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition earlier this week, vitamin D supplements, across a four-year study, slowed the shortening of telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes that shrink as one ages. 'The finding that these telomeres seem to be protected against shortening, and that their length was being preserved by vitamin D supplementation, suggested that vitamin D may have a role in slowing biological aging,' Dr. JoAnn Manson, study coauthor and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, told Fortune. The 25,871 people studied also took Omega-3 supplements. Those showed to have 'no significant effect' on shortening telomeres. Results suggest 2000 IU, or 50 micrograms, of vitamin D with or without Omega-3 supplements may stall telomere erosion. The National Institute of Health recommends 600 IU a day for individuals aged between 1 and 70 and 800 IU for those above 70. 'Having a healthy diet and time outdoors, being physically active, will be enough for the majority of the population to have adequate vitamin D status,' Manson said.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vitamin D supplements may slow aging: Study
(NewsNation) — Vitamin D does many wonders for the human body, and now, supplements have added one more. According to findings published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on May 21, vitamin D supplements, across a four-year study, slowed the shortening of telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes that shrink as one ages. 'The finding that these telomeres seem to be protected against shortening, and that their length was being preserved by vitamin D supplementation, suggested that vitamin D may have a role in slowing biological aging,' Dr. JoAnn Manson, study coauthor and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, told Fortune. Scientists create contact lenses allowing sight in the dark The 25,871 people studied also took Omega-3 supplements. Those showed to have 'no significant effect' on shortening telomeres. Results suggest 2000 IU, or 50 micrograms, of vitamin D with or without Omega-3 supplements may stall telomere erosion. The National Institute of Health recommends 600 IU a day for individuals aged between 1 and 70 and 800 IU for those above 70. 'Having a healthy diet and time outdoors, being physically active, will be enough for the majority of the population to have adequate vitamin D status,' Manson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Time of India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Vitamin D may delay aging and reduce risk of diabetes and heart disease, finds new clinical study
Recent research suggests that higher vitamin D intake could slow down aging-related changes in the body. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin D supplements reduced the shortening of telomeres, protective DNA caps linked to aging and disease risk. What the research found The study focused on about 900 participants from a larger trial. Those who took vitamin D supplements showed less telomere shortening over four years than those who took a placebo. Shorter telomeres are connected to aging and greater risks of infections, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases. The researchers believe vitamin D's role in reducing inflammation may explain these benefits. Omega-3 supplements, tested alongside vitamin D, did not have a significant effect on telomere length. Co-author JoAnn Manson said, 'Vitamin D is not a panacea.' She added, 'Some chronic diseases do not appear to be mitigated by vitamin D supplementation.' She advised focusing on a healthy diet and lifestyle , rather than relying only on supplements. However, vitamin D might help people with higher inflammation or those at risk of inflammation-related chronic diseases. Study design strengthens results The trial was randomized and double-blinded, meaning participants were randomly assigned to either the vitamin D or placebo groups, and neither the participants nor researchers knew who received which. This design helps ensure fair comparisons and reliable results. Should you take vitamin D supplements? However, experts warn against rushing to buy vitamin D supplements. People can get enough vitamin D from their diet and sunlight. This analysis comes from the large VITAL trial, which involved nearly 26,000 mostly older adults over five years. Participants took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3 and 1 gram of Omega-3 daily, mainly to test effects on cancer and heart disease prevention. Live Events Sources of vitamin D Besides sunlight, vitamin D can be found in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Egg yolks, beef liver, and UV-treated mushrooms also provide vitamin D. Fortified foods such as milk, yogurt, and cereals contribute to daily intake. This research points to vitamin D's potential role in slowing some aging processes but emphasizes balanced diet and lifestyle as essential. Risks of excess vitamin D intake Taking too much vitamin D can cause harmful effects. Excess vitamin D may lead to a condition called hypercalcemia, where calcium builds up in the blood. This can cause nausea, weakness, kidney problems, and in severe cases, heart issues. Experts advise sticking to recommended doses and consulting a doctor before starting high-dose supplements, especially since too much vitamin D does not provide extra benefits and can be risky. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )


Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
How Omega-3 supplements helped lower blood sugar in working woman in 3 months: Here's what happens
A 45-year-old working woman came to us with her blood sugar test results, worried that the readings were higher than the normal range. Her fasting plasma glucose was 115 mg/dL, her oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result after two hours of consuming a glucose-rich solution was 168 mg/dL and her HbA1c (three-month average blood glucose count) was 6 per cent. Clearly, she had prediabetes. Her blood sugar levels were higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. Anxious, she asked if she needed medication. As she was overweight, we advised her to get into a lifestyle routine instead, eat better and at home, exercise more and lose body fat. We also included more foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids or the good fats from salmon, walnuts and chia seeds. She even added a daily fish oil supplement. Vegetarians can opt for algae oil variants. After three months, her blood sugar levels went down, her energy improved and her sugar cravings reduced. Omega-3 didn't cure her but had helped stop her prediabetes from turning into diabetes. What is Omega-3? Omega-3 is a type of 'good fat' that our body needs but cannot make on its own. It helps reduce inflammation, supports heart health and keeps our cells working well. There are three main types of Omega-3: ALA (from plant sources like flaxseed and walnuts); EPA and DHA (mainly from fatty fish and fish oil) How Omega-3 May Help with Prediabetes One of the biggest problems in prediabetes is insulin resistance. This means the body doesn't respond to insulin, the sugar-regulating hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. When your body becomes insulin resistant, sugar stays in the blood, and over time this can lead to diabetes. Studies suggest that Omega-3 may help the body use insulin better, reduce inflammation, which in turn plays a big part in insulin resistance. When the inflammation goes down, your body may be able to control blood sugar more effectively. People with prediabetes often have high levels of triglycerides (a type of blood fat), which are risky for the heart. Omega-3 is known to lower triglycerides and improve overall heart health. That's another reason it's helpful if you're trying to manage prediabetes. Should You Take Omega-3 Supplements? It's always best to get nutrients from real food. But if you don't eat fish or enough plant-based Omega-3s, you can talk to your doctor about taking a supplement. Omega-3 in your routine—whether through food or supplements—may give your body extra support in controlling blood sugar and protecting your health.