It has long been understood that eating fish can reduce likelihood of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases. The reason? Fish, especially cold-water fatty fish, is high in two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These two fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 has been shown to reduce build-up of artery clogging atherosclerosis and keep blood platelets from sticking together thus reducing risk of heart attack and stroke.

But more recent studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids also have an effect on dangerous arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac death by regulating impulses that control heart rhythm.

One study involved use of mycocytes (cells that beat independently). By adding free fatty acids to these cells arrhythmias were aborted. When fatty acids were extracted from mycocytes arrhythmias would reoccur thus indicating that omega-3 fatty acids have a stabilizing effect on heart rhythm. The apparent mechanism for controlling rhythm involved cell ion channels, proteins that control movement of sodium, calcium and potassium ions across membrane of cell.

Eat when you are hungry. From time they are born, babies know when and how much they need to eat—and they cry to let us know too! As they grow, this important instinct can be un-learned. By time they are adults, they may have learned to eat for many other reasons besides hunger—mealtimes, tempting food, stress, anger, boredom, and countless other triggers. By recognizing difference between needing to eat and wanting to eat, adults can re-learn when and how much to eat too.

Stop eating when you are full. An infant will turn their head away when they have had enough to eat, and a toddler will throw a plate of food on floor when they are done. But as adults, we clean our plates because “there are starving children” somewhere—or just because something tastes good. I am not suggesting that we start throwing our plates on floor again, but we need to remember that food is abundant in our society so there is no need to eat it all now.

Being hungry makes you grouchy. Being hungry, tired, or frustrated make children—and adults—crabby! Starving yourself because you are too busy to eat or because you are trying to lose weight usually backfires.

Snacks are good. Kids naturally prefer to eat smaller meals with snacks in between whenever they get hungry. That pattern of eating keeps their energy level and metabolism stoked all day. Adults who need to fire up their metabolism should try this too.

Play with your food. Most kids love to examine, smell, and touch their food. Since eating is a total sensory experience, they get most from every morsel. This childlike approach will help you eat less food while enjoying it more. You’ll appreciate aroma, appearance, and flavors more if you aren’t driving, watching T.V., or standing in kitchen!

All foods fit. Children are born with a natural preference for sweet and higher fat flavors. Though parents sometimes worry, these “fun” foods can be part of a healthy diet. In fact, overly restrictive food rules usually lead to rebellious eating anyway—just think about last time you weren’t “allowed” to eat something on a diet! Children and adults both eat healthier when they learn to enjoy these less nutritious foods in moderation.

Be a picky eater. Kids won’t easily eat something they don’t like. Think of how much less food you would eat if you didn’t settle for food that tasted “so-so.”