Sufficient omega 3 fatty acids intake slow down aging processes, showed the research carried out at California University, San Francisco, which results were published in JAMA.
Previous researches were indicative of the fact that cardio-vascular patients who regularly take large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil, statistically, live longer than those who have no omega 3 fatty acids in their diet. But this research also have shown that beside their heart protective effect, omega 3 fatty acids can make so called telomeres more stable. Telomeres are chromosome end structures which influence stability and replication of chromosomes, and these are aging markers. Environment factors may influence telomeres the way that fasten aging process, but sufficient amounts of omega 3 fatty acids protect telomeres from getting shorter, and in that way protect the body from premature aging.
Just to remember: significant vegetable source of omega 3 fatty acids is flax seed (or flax seed oil).