DHA Omega-3 Helps Nervous-System Function

The omega-3 essential fatty acids commonly found in fatty fish and algae help animals avoid sensory overload, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. The finding connects low omega-3s to the information-processing problems found in people with schizophrenia; bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders; Huntington's disease; and other afflictions of the nervous system.

The study, reported in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, provides more evidence that fish is brain food. The key finding was that two omega-3 fatty acids -- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -- appear to be most useful in the nervous system, maybe by maintaining nerve-cell membranes.

Image Courtesy: NIH.gov

"It is an uphill battle now to reverse the message that 'fats are bad,' and to increase omega-3 fats in our diet," said Norman Salem Jr., PhD, who led this study at the Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The body cannot make these essential nutrients from scratch. It gets them by metabolizing their precursor, α-linolenic acid (LNA), or from foods or dietary supplements with DHA and EPA in a readily usable form. "Humans can convert less than one percent of the precursor into DHA, making DHA an essential nutrient in the human diet," added Irina Fedorova, PhD, one of the paper's co-authors. EPA is already known for its anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects, but DHA makes up more than 90 percent of the omega-3s in the brain (which has no EPA), retina and nervous system in general.

In the study, the researchers fed four different diets with no or varying types and amounts of omega-3s to four groups of pregnant mice and then their offspring. They measured how the offspring, once grown, responded to a classic test of nervous-system function in which healthy animals are exposed to a sudden loud noise. Normally, animals flinch.

However, when they hear a softer tone in advance, they flinch much less. It appears that normal nervous systems use that gentle warning to prepare instinctively for future stimuli, an adaptive process called sensorimotor gating.

Only the mice raised on DHA and EPA, but not their precursor of LNA, showed normal, adaptive sensorimotor gating by responding in a significantly calmer way to the loud noises that followed soft tones.

The mice in all other groups, when warned, were startled nearly as much by the loud sound. When DHA was deficient, the nervous system most obviously did not downshift. That resulted in an abnormal state that could leave animals perpetually startled and easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli.

The authors concluded that not enough DHA in the diet may reduce the ability to handle sensory input. "It only takes a small decrement in brain DHA to produce losses in brain function," said Salem.

In humans, weak sensorimotor gating is a hallmark of many nervous-system disorders such as schizophrenia or ADHD. Given mounting evidence of the role omega-3s play in the nervous system, there is intense interest in their therapeutic potential, perhaps as a supplement to medicines. For example, people with schizophrenia have lower levels of essential fatty acids, possibly from a genetic variation that results in poor metabolism of these nutrients.

More broadly, the typical American diet is much lower in all types of omega-3 than in omega-6 essential fatty acids, according to Salem. High intake of omega-6, or linoleic acid, reduces the body's ability to incorporate omega-3s. As a result, "we have the double whammy of low omega-3 intake and high omega-6 intake," he said.

Source:
ScienceDaily
Dec. 19, 2009

DHA and ALA? What's the Difference

DHA is one of the omega-3 essential fatty acids, the good fats that can protect your eyes, brain and heart, and found in fish oil and algae.

Another important omega-3 essential fatty acid is ALA ( alpha-linolenic acid), in chia, flax and walnuts, which the body eventually, but in small quantities, converts to DHA.

A third essential fatty acid is EPA, also found in fish oil.

Walnuts and chia seeds are sources of ALA and do not contain any DHA. Nuts and seeds are not nutritional equivalents to fish oil or algae oil with respect to omega-3 content.

Humans have a limited ability to convert ALA to DHA: Less than 1 percent of it is turned into DHA (although women convert it better than men do). Western diets limit their ability to convert it even more because they eat too many omega-6 fats from corn and soybean oils (Americans average 18 grams a day of omega-6 fat from these oils).

The trouble is that these omega-6 fatty acids compete with ALA for conversion. So, for instance, if a person consumed an ounce of walnuts per day, they'd get approximately 2,500 mg of ALA. But it would, at best, convert to just 25 mg of DHA, a small fraction of the DHA necessary (600 mg) for optimal health.

ALA itself isn't bad: Some research shows that it can have positive effects on heart health (DHA does too). But for brain development and health, research has shown only DHA to be beneficial.

The only way to achieve the DHA blood and tissue levels essential for optimal health and disease risk reduction is to get at least 600 mg of preformed DHA per day through fish, foods fortified with DHA or DHA supplements from algae oil or fish oil.

Essential Fatty Acids & Alzheimer's?

According to research at the University of Bristol, the amount of fatty acids in the brain varies between healthy people and those with Alzheimer's Disease These findings, published in the journal Neurochemical Research, will help researchers understand what's happening in the brain during the disease.

Seth Love, Professor of Neuropathology at the Univ. of Bristol, who led the work, says: "Fatty acids are essential to the way our brains work; they affect the way nerve cells function and help insulate the electrical signals that transmit information around our brains. When we compared the brains of people without Alzheimer's to those with the disease, we found a reduction in two types of fatty acid, and an increase in two others. It might be that the changes in amounts of fatty acids contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, or are a consequence. We need to do more research to find out."

Rebecca Wood, CEO of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, says: "Dementia research in Bristol is making fantastic progress. It's vital that we understand the changes in the brain that cause Alzheimer's so that we can open the door to new treatments and ways to prevent the disease.

"We don't know if taking fatty acid supplements or altering our diets could have any effect on Alzheimer's risk, but this new research is helping us to understand how fatty acids might be involved in the disease," says Wood. "Over 4,300 people in Bristol have dementia, a number forecast to rise as the population ages. We must invest in research now to find ways to prevent, treat or cure this devastating disease."

Source: Univ. of Bristol
November 16, 2009

Fish Oil Improves Cholesterol Levels in Professional Football Players

A new study by Nordic Naturals shows that fish oil given to professional football players has proven to be effective for improving cholesterol levels. The study was published in the January/February 2009 issue of Sports Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach.

The patented fish oil supplement was administered to 36 professional football players from ages 23 to 41 years of age that volunteered to be randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group in the study. Players were grouped according to BMI and position played. A physical assessment and baseline cholesterol tests were given to directly measure LDL, HDL and other fat lipid concentrations in the blood.

The research team chose Pro-Omega™ from Nordic Naturals, Inc. During the two month period of the 2006-07 football season, subjects in the treatment group were given 4 soft gels per day of Ultimate Omega, which provided 2560 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (650 mg EPA; 450 mg DHA; and 180 mg other omega-3 fatty acids per soft gel).

“The results illustrated a rather dramatic decrease in triglyceride levels, a healthy increase in HDL, and lowered LDL in the athletes who used a moderately high dose of omega-3 EFA fish oil,” relates Joseph Maroon, MD, a board certified neurosurgeon who serves on the Nordic Naturals Scientific Advisory Board and was one of the study researchers.

This study adds to the numerous publications that have shown fish oil to be a helpful preventative measure for heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends 2 to 4 gram of EPA and DHA daily for individuals with elevated triglycerides and 1 gram of EPA and DHA daily for individuals with risk factors for heart disease.

Dr. Joseph Maroon has become one of the nation’s leading advocates of fish oil and has recently authored two books, “Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-Inflammatory” and “The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life”.

Fish Oil Prevents Breast Cancer

35,016 women were followed-up for six years and 880 cases of breast cancer were identified. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, led by Emily White, PhD, a member of the public health sciences division, published a report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention that concluded that fish oil does help prevent cancer.

Image Courtesy:dailymail.co.uk

These menopausal women, who did not have a history of breast cancer, were asked to complete a questionnaire about their use of supplements that were not either vitamins nor minerals. Six years later, regular use of fish oil supplements was linked with a 32 percent reduction in risk of breast cancer. This phenomenon appeared to be restrictive to invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common type of the illness.

Fish oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid)and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). Omega-3 fatty acids are considered to be essential fatty acids for human health but the body doesn't produce them. People need to draw this fatty acids from fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut, other seafood including algae and krill, some plants, and nut oils. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development.

This is the first research to demonstrate a link between the use of fish oil and a reduction in breast cancer. “It may be that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements are higher than most people would typically get from their diet,” White said. However, “without confirming studies specifically addressing this,” she said, “we should not draw any conclusions about a causal relationship”.

Another scientist, Edward Giovannucci, agreed with White: “It is very rare that a single study should be used to make a broad recommendation,” he said. “Over a period of time, as the studies confirm each other, we can start to make recommendations.”. Mr Edward Giovannucci, MD, ScD is a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and an editorial board member of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

The next research plans to study 20,000 US men aged 60 years and older and women aged 65 years and older, who don't have a history of cancer, heart disease or stroke, and have never taken supplements.

By Smaranda Biliuti, News Editor
July 8th, 2010

Fish Oil Relieves Joint and Back Pain

Fish oil contains two naturally occurring fatty acids, EPA and DHA. These fatty acids stimulate the body's anti-inflammatory functions and help relieve joint pain, much the same as NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, but without the side effects. An excess of proinflammatory messenger molecules causes joint pain, and consumption of fish oil prevents this build up.

Both EPA and DHA are necessary for many functions in the body, but are not manufactured in the body in quantities sufficient for their use. Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, aids in the anti-inflammatory response of the body to pain. The fatty acid is converted to messenger molecules that relive both pain and inflammation in joints. EPA has the additional effect of preventing omega-6 fats from causing pain and inflammation.

Resent research has shown that a diet high in EPA fish oil reduced lower back pain in over 50% of sufferers. One hundred and twenty five participants with back pain were given 850 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA a day, and over half were able to discontinue prescription pain medication. Seventeen clinical trials have confirmed these results. The protocol of two to three grams of EPA and DHA a day for three months has been shown to reduce the intensity of joint pain, morning stiffness, painful joints, joint tenderness and the need for prescription pain medications, such as NSAIDs.

One of the causes of joint pain is the over-consumption of omega-6 fats in the modern American diet. Omega-6 fats are a necessary part of the diet; however, vegetable oils and overprocessed foods sway the balance that the body needs between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The best ratio for health is an omega-6:omega-3 ratio of 3 to 1, but most Americans consume a ratio of 15 to 1. This is the cause of much chronic inflammatory joint and back pain.

Fish oil can be obtained from fatty fish, such as salmon, or in food supplements. Because of the pollution in the ocean, the source of the fresh fish must be evaluated to ensure that the fish does not contain mercury. One way to ensure this is by purchasing food supplements containing EPA and DHEA and the proper balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. Be certain to note if the fish oil supplements are fresh and free of mercury, as tested in labs meeting the international pharmaceutical standards. Fresh fish oil should not have a bitter or fish-like taste.

Source:
NaturalNews.com

Melt away fat with fish oil

We know that taking fish oil supplements, which are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, is good for everything from improving heart health to fighting depression.

Well, now there’s another benefit: Fish oil can help you burn fat.

According to a recent study by Australian scientists, people who walked 45 minutes three days a week and took six grams of fish oil burned seven times more fat than those who just exercised.

Researchers suspect fish oil may increase the enzymes your body produces to burn fat.

It would take 12 ounces (four servings) of salmon to get that much fish oil a day, but supplements typically have a little more than a gram per pill.

Nordic Naturals becomes official Omega-3 of the APA

February 20, 2009 ­— Nordic Naturals becomes official Omega-3 of the American Pregnancy Association -Nordic Naturals announced today its partnership with the APA, with a strong corporate commitment to education and research, which includes their endorsement of Nordic Naturals as the “the official omega-3” of their organization.

Image Courtesy:www.NordicNaturals.com

Scientific research confirms the importance of essential fatty acids for prenatal, maternal and neonatal health. DHA comprises about 30 percent of the fatty tissue in the brain and is essential for proper development of the brain, eyes, nerves, and immune system.

International nutrition organizations have concluded that pregnant and nursing women need a minimum of 300 mg DHA each day to ensure healthy development of the child within, as well as to support mom’s physical and mental health pre- and post-delivery.

Source:
American Pregnancy Association

Omega-3 research Sheds Light on Inflammatory Trigger

Published on 25 August 2009,

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have discovered a previously unknown step in early inflammation which is controlled by omega –3 and omega –6 fatty acids, potentially leading to clarification around conflicting health and diet advice on these two essential nutrients.

Dr Ed Rainger, from the Center for Cardiovascular Sciences at the University, has discovered that a key product in the metabolism of omega –6 fatty acids is an essential signal for neutrophils (white blood cells that form an essential part of the immune system) to cross the endothelium, the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels, to work on inflammation.

Dr Rainger says the findings of the study will open up new possibilities: “The identification of these novel mechanisms by which inflammation is regulated may allow us to develop new therapies to intervene when the process of inflammation becomes pathological rather than physiological.”

These latest discoveries support the evidence that fish oils have anti-inflammatory effects in addition to other health benefits. Dr Rainger and his team have revealed new steps in the body’s response to tackling inflammation which researchers hope will lead to designing potential new drugs to tackle severe and chronic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The team also found that the migration of neutrophils could be blocked by the increased levels of omega -3 generated after the endothelial cells had been supplemented with this omega –3 fatty acid.

Dr Rainger and his team conducted the study using a realistic, flow based system that models the process of inflammation at the interface of the circulating blood and inflamed tissue. They were then able to observe the effects of physiological levels of omega –3 and omega –6 fatty acids on the process of recruiting inflammatory blood cells such as neutrophils into the tissue. This process is regulated by endothelial cells lining the blood vessels.

Dr Ed Rainger, said: “Our findings are very significant. They support the idea that omega–6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory – that they are required to sustain a normal inflammatory response without which we would be prone to serious infection and tissue damage.”

Conversely, Dr Rainger has uncovered mechanistic evidence that supports the anti-inflammatory role of omega -3 fatty acids: “We’ve all heard about the health benefits of eating oily fish, and its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, possibly due to their anti inflammatory properties, yet little is known about the normal cellular mechanisms by which omega –3 fatty acids produce their protective effects.”

Nutritionists believe that imbalances in omega –3 and –6 - may explain the rise of diseases such as asthma, coronary heart disease, cancers, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are believed to stem from inflammation in the body.

Select the Right EFA Supplement for You

Gail Maleskey, in her article written for Stop Aging Now tells us that one of the most common nutritional problems in the U.S. has to do with the fat we eat. We get too much saturated fat, trans-fat and polyunsaturated fat. And we don't get enough omega-3 fat, from sources like fish, green leafy vegetables and certain vegetable oils.

Experts believe this imbalance is fueling health problems ranging from attention deficit disorder to heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes. This is because omega-3s help reduce inflammation in our bodies, and are important for brain development and function.

She says that almost everyone could benefit by getting more omega-3s and less of the harmful fats, and the best way to do that is with both diet and EFA (essential fatty acid) supplements. Improve your fat profile by eating less beef and more fish, using low-fat dairy products, reading labels to avoid hydrogenated fats, and using mostly olive oil when you cook.

She suggests that you choose the EFA supplement that’s right for you, based on these descriptions. Always select the highest quality available and be sure that they are guaranteed to be fresh and free of contaminants.

1. Fish Oil

Fish oil is extracted from fatty fish, then purified and standardized so it always contains the same amount of each ingredient. It’s the most concentrated source of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats. A gram (1,000 mg) of our Omega-T® Fish Oil contains 300 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA.

Fish oil can lower triglycerides, slow down the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, reduce blood pressure, inhibit colon cancer cell growth, lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, and reduce risk for dementia.

2. Krill Oil

Krill oil is an EFA supplement made from little shrimp-like creatures. It is also purified and standardized so every batch is the same. One gram has only 50 mg EPA and 90 mg DHA, less than half what fish oil contains.

However, krill oil has some unique properties that fish oil lacks. It contains astaxanthins, which are powerful antioxidants. It also contains phospholipids, compounds that are both fat-soluble and water-soluble, making krill oil easier to absorb and utilize in your body. Some of these phospholipids may prove useful against age-related brain damage. Krill oil also provides vitamin E and omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.

Krill oil is a relatively new product. Research done so far shows it can reduce inflammation and symptoms of arthritis, reduce cholesterol, slow cancer growth and reduce menstrual pain. Krill oil also reduces blood levels of harmful C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation and heart disease and increases detoxifying liver enzymes.

Krill oil might be a good choice for people who have fat malabsorption, or who want to target their brain or liver. Some people alternate fish oil and krill oil, or take a half-dose of both. People with shellfish allergies should not take krill oil.

3. Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil has been used for centuries for general good health. One gram has 36 mg of EPA and 46 mg of DHA. Unlike fish or krill oil, cod liver oil naturally contains vitamin A and vitamin D in amounts that make it fairly easy to reach toxic level.

Cod liver oil offers similar health benefits as fish and krill oil, and additional benefits from A and D, like fighting infections and promoting healthy bones. It’s a good choice for people who do not take fish oil or extra vitamin A or D. If you take do take cod liver oil and other supplements, you should determine exactly how much vitamin A you are getting.

4. Flax Seed Oil

Flax seed oil has a long history of use for hair, skin and nails. It’s is a great source of balanced omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. It doesn’t contain EPA or DHA, so it’s not a perfect substitute for fish oil, but it contains ALA (alpha linolenic acid, which can be converted to EPA and DHA. Most people convert about 20% of the ALA they consume into EPA and DHA.

Flax seed oil is a good choice for people looking for a vegetarian source of balanced fatty acids, and for people who want to target their skin, hair and nails. It’s beneficial for preventing heart disease and arrhythmia, and reducing inflammation. You may find that taking both flax seed oil and fish oil works best for you.

In Conclusion, Mareskey says that essential fatty acids are an important part of a healthy diet, and provide many benefits related to living long and well. Many types of fatty acids play unique, important roles within the body. It is especially important, however, to make sure that you are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, as most people don't get the omega-3s they need. EFA supplements are often to only way to get enough omega-3s to get the full health benefits of a diet rich in them. The best EFA supplement for you may be one or a combination of supplements, depending on your diet and health concerns.

Author: Gail Maleskey, Licensed Dietitian
Stop Aging Now

Typical North American Diet Is Deficient In Omega-3 Fatty Acids

New research from the Child & Family Research Institute shows the typical North American diet of eating lots of meat and not much fish is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and this may pose a risk to infant neurological development. Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats found in some fish such as salmon and herring and in smaller amounts in eggs and chicken.

This discovery is an important step towards developing dietary fat guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Current dietary recommendations evolved from the 1950's emphasis on reducing saturated fat intake to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Omega 3 fatty acids are important for the baby's developing eyes and brain," says Dr. Sheila Innis, the study's principal investigator, head of the nutrition and metabolism program at the Child & Family Research Institute at BC Children's Hospital, and Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia.

"During pregnancy and breastfeeding, fat consumed by the mum is transferred to the developing baby and breastfed infant, and this fat is important for the baby's developing organs. Our next task is to find out why the typical North American diet puts mothers at risk. Then we can develop dietary recommendations to help women consume a nutritious diet that promotes optimal health for mums and babies."

The researchers found that the women who ate lots of meat and little fish were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and their babies didn't do as well on eye tests as babies from mothers who weren't deficient. The results were noticeable as early as two months of age. The study is ongoing as the researchers intend to follow the children's development until four years of age.

THE STUDY.

• Researchers recruited 135 pregnant women and randomly assigned them to either a group that took an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or one that took a placebo.
• All the women continued eating their regular diets.
• The supplement added the equivalent of two fatty fish meals per week, an amount that the researchers estimated would prevent deficiency.
• The researchers tested the women's blood samples at 16 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and measured the amount of DHA (docasohexaenoic acid), a type of omega-3 fatty acids that's known to be important for brain and eye function.

After the babies were born, the researchers did vision tests to evaluate the infants' ability to distinguish lines of different widths. It's an innovative way of evaluating neurological maturity in babies who are unable to talk. Since the eyes are connected to the brain, they reflect the brain's development.

The aim of this study was to contribute to a growing body of knowledge that focuses on the dietary needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women. More research is needed to identify recommended daily amounts of omega 3 fatty acids.

"For better health, it's important for pregnant and nursing mums -and all of us - to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, eggs, and fish while minimizing consumption of processed and prepared foods," says Dr. Innis.

Source:
The study is published March 7th, 2008 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Martek Biosciences Corp. provided the supplements.
Adapted from materials provided by Child & Family Research Institute via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.