Omega 3 PUFAs and Cardiovascular Disease
As most of us are aware, in today’s society, our human diet is vastly different than that of our ancestors. In earlier times hunting, fishing and gathering of foods was an important part of their lifestyle. This resulted in them acquiring a balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3, a ratio of 1:1. Due to our fast lifestyle and the need for convenience we are now preparing and eating less and less fish and other marine mammals.
As a result, our diet is deficient in Omega 3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), showing a ratio of 25-35:1. Omega 3 is ‘essential’ for human health and development, meaning that it is necessary for life. This ‘essential’ fatty acid cannot be produced by the body, but must be obtained from another food source such as fish, marine mammals, or Seal Oil capsules. The Omega 3 Seal Oil (PUFAs), which I have developed, is composed of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), and Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA, 22:5n-3).
In recent research all three of these components have been proven to be vitally important in human health, growth and development, from infancy to senior years. Omega 3 PUFAs are important for cellular membrane components and the production of eicosanoids, which are hormone like substances that are the body’s cellular check and balance system. The eicosanoids do not last long in the body, so they have to be produced continuously. The production of eicosanoids can be controlled if one is consuming the correct balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 PUFAs; balance means good health whereas imbalance leads to disease development.
The EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) reduces inflammation and blood clots within the cardiovascular system. Also, clinical tests have shown that diet’s rich in EPA are less inclined to develop inflamed joints (Rheumatoid arthritis), inflammation of the intestines (Crohn’s disease), lupus, asthma, multiple sclerosis and skin disease.
The DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) has been identified as an ‘essential’ building block of the brain, nerve and eye tissue. It is especially important to developing an infant’s visual acuity and motor skills. DHA is supplied naturally through a mother’s breast milk, providing the mother is eating fish and other marine mammals. More recently DHA has been supplemented through Seal Oil Formula Capsules, which is an excellent source of DHA.
With regards to DPA (Docosapentaenoic acid), it is only found in significant amounts in Seal Oil and nursing mother’s breast milk. It is as important as EPA or DHA and is an effective agent in blood vessel walls. Researchers in Japan (2003) found that DPA has a potential inhibitory effect on tumor angiogenesis (new vessel formation). This means that DPA has an anti-cancer effect.
The composition of these ‘essential’ (dietary elements that the body cannot produce, so they must be acquired through our diet) fatty acids in seal oil are ultimately involved in controlling inflammation, cardiovascular health, myelin sheath development, allergic reactivity, immune response, hormone modulation, IQ, and behavior.
These ‘essential’ fatty acids play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and fluidity of the membranes that surrounds human cells, protecting them from free radical damage (cell attacking molecules which are believed to be one of the main causes of cellular damage and the aging process). Scientific studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency is seen as the leading cause of Westernized Degenerative Diseases such as, Cardiovascular Disease.
The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart and the blood vessels. The heart is a muscle, which is composed of 4 chambers, so when our heart contracts, the blood is pumped out and into the arteries (blood vessels). The arteries (have thick vessel walls), in turn, transport the blood away from the heart, and then the veins transport the blood back into the heart.
Due to our westernized dietary habits, Cardiovascular Disease stops being a remote threat, only to take on a personal relevance. Cardiovascular Disease refers to a class of diseases that involve the heart and/or blood vessels (arteries and veins). It is a result of arterial damage, including such diseases as, Coronary Heart Disease, Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Arrhythmia, and Stroke.
Currently there are more than 68 million Americans with one or more cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke; with many more at risk of developing it. Cardiovascular Disease is the top ranking number one killer, accounting for about one-third of all deaths in industrialized countries.
The risk factors associated with Cardiovascular Disease: Elevated LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol),Elevated serum trigylcerides,Homocysteine (a sulfur-containing amino acid),Low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol,) Hypertension, Smoking, Obesity, Diabetes, Male, Low-level of physical activity, and Genetics
Read My Full Article
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Fish oil capsules lower in contaminants: study
2/19/04 - CTV News
Avis Favaro,CTV News Medical Specialist
Two months ago, a study was released showing farmed salmon contained higher levels of pollutants -- pesticides and PCBs -- than wild salmon.
Following up on that study, CTV News has looked into the contaminants of fish oil capsules, which are touted as a healthy alternative.
Health Canada urges us to eat a gram a day of fish to get the benefits of the fish oils rich in nutrients called omega 3 fatty acids that seem to protect against a number of diseases.
Yet, after the study on toxins in farmed salmon, some scientists recommended consumers in North America consider eating farmed salmon just once a month.
Some suggested fish oil capsules as a healthy alternative. But the question remained -- how do contaminants in fish oil capsules compare to those found in the fish themselves?
CTV commissioned a study of its own, to measure the contaminants found in fish capsules from dozen manufacturers.
The results were surprising. Not only do the capsules contain the beneficial fatty acids in high concentrations, but they are also cleaner than the fish they came from.
Read the Full Story
Avis Favaro,CTV News Medical Specialist
Two months ago, a study was released showing farmed salmon contained higher levels of pollutants -- pesticides and PCBs -- than wild salmon.
Following up on that study, CTV News has looked into the contaminants of fish oil capsules, which are touted as a healthy alternative.
Health Canada urges us to eat a gram a day of fish to get the benefits of the fish oils rich in nutrients called omega 3 fatty acids that seem to protect against a number of diseases.
Yet, after the study on toxins in farmed salmon, some scientists recommended consumers in North America consider eating farmed salmon just once a month.
Some suggested fish oil capsules as a healthy alternative. But the question remained -- how do contaminants in fish oil capsules compare to those found in the fish themselves?
CTV commissioned a study of its own, to measure the contaminants found in fish capsules from dozen manufacturers.
The results were surprising. Not only do the capsules contain the beneficial fatty acids in high concentrations, but they are also cleaner than the fish they came from.
Read the Full Story
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Fat acid clue to cystic fibrosis
BBC News
Sunday, 15 February, 2004
An imbalance of fatty acids may cause the lung inflammation experienced by cystic fibrosis patients, scientists have suggested. They say too much of one acid and too little of another means patients' bodies are more prone to inflammation
In the New England Journal of Medicine, they suggest Omega-3 oils, found in fish, could help correct the imbalance.
But experts warned CF patients not to change their diets until there is more proof they would benefit.
Each week three young people in the UK die from the disease, which is caused by the faulty CFTR gene.
CF causes an abnormally thick, sticky mucus to be produced in the body, causing chronic inflammation of the lungs leading to life-threatening infections.
The average life expectancy for a person with CF is around 31.
Read FULL Story
Sunday, 15 February, 2004
An imbalance of fatty acids may cause the lung inflammation experienced by cystic fibrosis patients, scientists have suggested. They say too much of one acid and too little of another means patients' bodies are more prone to inflammation
In the New England Journal of Medicine, they suggest Omega-3 oils, found in fish, could help correct the imbalance.
But experts warned CF patients not to change their diets until there is more proof they would benefit.
Each week three young people in the UK die from the disease, which is caused by the faulty CFTR gene.
CF causes an abnormally thick, sticky mucus to be produced in the body, causing chronic inflammation of the lungs leading to life-threatening infections.
The average life expectancy for a person with CF is around 31.
Read FULL Story
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Docosahexaenoic acid and post-partum depression - is there a link?
2003 - Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2003;12 Suppl:S37
Makrides M, Crowther CA, Gibson RA, Gibson RS, Skeaff CM.
Child Health Research Institute, North Adelaide,SA 5006.
Background - Cross cultural comparisons and ecological studies indicate an inverse association between the incidence of post partum depression and consumption of long chain omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, evidence from prospective studies is lacking.
Objective - To determine is there is an association between major depressive symptoms and plasma DHA in a cohort of women at 6 months post-partum.
Design - A cohort of 380 women completed an Edinburgh Post-partum Depression Scale (EPDS) and had their iron, zinc and DHA status assessed. Perinatal and social characteristics were collected at the time of birth. Women were classified with symptoms of depression if they has a score of 12 or above on the EPDS.
Outcomes - Logistic regression analysis indicated that a 1% increase in plasma DHA was associated with a 59% reduction in reporting of depressive symptoms (P<0.05), while an increase in the length of hospital stay (at the time of birth) by 1 day was associated with a 19% increase in depressive symptoms (P=0.07). These associations need to be interpreted with caution because plasma DHA was positively influenced by maternal education and negatively influenced by maternal smoking.
Conclusions - Randomised trials with a DHA intervention are necessary to determine whether the association between DHA and depressive symptoms in the post partum period is causal.
Makrides M, Crowther CA, Gibson RA, Gibson RS, Skeaff CM.
Child Health Research Institute, North Adelaide,SA 5006.
Background - Cross cultural comparisons and ecological studies indicate an inverse association between the incidence of post partum depression and consumption of long chain omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, evidence from prospective studies is lacking.
Objective - To determine is there is an association between major depressive symptoms and plasma DHA in a cohort of women at 6 months post-partum.
Design - A cohort of 380 women completed an Edinburgh Post-partum Depression Scale (EPDS) and had their iron, zinc and DHA status assessed. Perinatal and social characteristics were collected at the time of birth. Women were classified with symptoms of depression if they has a score of 12 or above on the EPDS.
Outcomes - Logistic regression analysis indicated that a 1% increase in plasma DHA was associated with a 59% reduction in reporting of depressive symptoms (P<0.05), while an increase in the length of hospital stay (at the time of birth) by 1 day was associated with a 19% increase in depressive symptoms (P=0.07). These associations need to be interpreted with caution because plasma DHA was positively influenced by maternal education and negatively influenced by maternal smoking.
Conclusions - Randomised trials with a DHA intervention are necessary to determine whether the association between DHA and depressive symptoms in the post partum period is causal.
Thursday, April 18, 2002
Health Benefits of Seal Oil - Dr. Cosmas Ho
(2002 - Fisheries Diversification Program)
Health Benefits of Seal Oil
In an attempt to provide evidence of the health benefits of seal oil, the Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, with funding from the Fisheries Diversification Program, began a research project dedicated to providing evidence of the effectiveness of seal oil in reducing symptoms of Arthritis.
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Government of Newfoundland and Labrador P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6
Call: 709 729-3732 / Fax: 709 729-6082
Web: http://www.gov.nf.ca/fishaq/FDP
(Read Full Article)
Health Benefits of Seal Oil
In an attempt to provide evidence of the health benefits of seal oil, the Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, with funding from the Fisheries Diversification Program, began a research project dedicated to providing evidence of the effectiveness of seal oil in reducing symptoms of Arthritis.
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Government of Newfoundland and Labrador P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6
Call: 709 729-3732 / Fax: 709 729-6082
Web: http://www.gov.nf.ca/fishaq/FDP
(Read Full Article)
Saturday, March 16, 2002
Omega 3 Fish Oils and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn's Org/UK http://www.crohns.org.uk
Fish Oils and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Much interest has been shown recently in the use of Fish Oils for the treatment of IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease)
(Read Full Article)
Fish Oils and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Much interest has been shown recently in the use of Fish Oils for the treatment of IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease)
(Read Full Article)
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