21.
Cardiologists have long known that eating fish helps to protect against heart disease, but up until recently they didn’t know why. Now, there’s a growing body of evidence that certain nutrients contained in fish, called omega-3 fatty acids (which are especially abundant in species like sardines, salmon and mackerel) seem to promote cardio-vascular health.

One group convinced of the benefits is the American Heart Association, that has released new dietary recommendations. The AHA recommends that everyone eat two 85g servings of fatty fish a week. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration has allowed manufacturers of omega-3 in pill form to advertise its benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids belong to a group of compounds known as polyunsaturated fats. These fats serve as the raw material for a whole host of essential structures in the body, from brain cells to molecules that regulate inflammation, blood pressure and blood clotting. Since our bodies cannot manufacture their own supply of omega-3, we have to get it from the food we eat—mostly from fish, but also from such plant sources as flax, soybeans and walnuts. Indeed, many European countries supplement food for infants with various omega-3 fatty acids.

The earliest studies found that populations that traditionally eat a lot of fish — for instance, Norwegians, Eskimos and Japanese—have relatively low rates of heart disease. Then, laboratory analyses showed that omega-3 fatty acids lower the risk of clots developing in the blood, which is a common trigger for a heart attack. Omega-3 also reduces the level of triglycerides, another fatty compound that has been linked to heart disease, and decreasing the number of irregular heartbeats.

However, there’s a down side to omegá-3. First of all, omega-3 fatty acids tend to raise the level of LDL, or “bad cholesterol,” in the blood stream. Doctors also warn that an excessive dose of omega-3—that is, more than two grams a day—could have serious side effects, such as internal bleeding. Pregnant women in particular should be careful about taking fish-oil supplements; taking cod liver oil, for example, can lead to an overdose of vitamin A, which can in turn cause birth defects.

Adapted from an article by Christine Gorman in Time magazine.

Questions 1—10
Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in the reading passage? In boxes 1 —10 on your answer sheet, write:
T if the statement reflects the writer's claim
F if the statement contradicts the writer
NG if there is no information about this in the passage

1. Cardiologists discovered omega-3.
2. Eating fish promotes cardio-vascular health.
3. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises people to eat fish.
4. Omega-3 can be consumed by people who do not eat fish.
5. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats.
6. Omega-3 is only found in fatty fish.
7. Heart disease is unknown among people who eat a lot of fish.
8. Heart attacks are often started by blood clots.
9. It is safe to take up to 2.5 g of omega-3 a day.
10. Pregnant women should avoid eating fish.

Answer: 1-NG,2-T,3-NG,4-T,5-T,6-F,7-F,8-T,9-F,10-NG

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