Essence of Wellness Email Newsletter Aug 11, 2009

Table of Contents:
1. Omega-3 fatty acids and your health
2. Sale on Omega 3 fatty acids!

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Your Health

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are everywhere in the scientific literature and media recently. You might have heard about the amazing health results derived from these fats. One of the ways omega-3 fats work is by preventing or treating health problems associated with inflammation. There is evidence demonstrating prevention or treatment of the following conditions with omega-3's: heart disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, dementia, diabetes, asthma, chronic infections, chronic lung disease, autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, there is some evidence that omega-3 fish oil supplements appear to be a safer alternative to NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen) for treatment of nonsurgical neck or back pain.

Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish oil. A high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been strongly linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease in epidemiologic studies. Fish oil supplements lower triglyceride levels and may have other benefits such as preventing arrhythmias, reducing inflammation, inhibiting platelet aggregation, lowering blood pressure, all of which should reduce cardiovascular risk.

What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Fats are put together a little differently than carbohydrates (sugars) and proteins. The base molecule for fat is the triglyceride. It is a 3 pronged molecule, with glycerol as a base. Attached to each of the prongs of the molecule is a long molecule called a fatty acid. Linolenic acid is the prime member of the omega-3 family. This acid cannot be made in the body and must be supplied by foods.

Functions of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fats have critical and essential regulatory roles for every facet of metabolism and health. A few roles and functions of fats in general:
1. source of calories
2. storage form of calories
3. insulation and shock-absorbing mechanical qualities
4. forms the structure of cell membranes
5. cell signaling and transmission
6. precursors for steroid hormones
7. essential for growth, development, and health maintenance
8. transport and uptake of fat-soluble vitamins

Sources of Omega-3's

Main sources include fish that live in cold water (such as salmon, herring, sardines), walnuts, ground flaxseed, and leafy green vegetables. Unfortunately, most people do not get enough of these items in their diet to balance out the omega-6 fats they eat. Omega-6 fats are related to inflammation. Because fish often contain dangerous levels of mercury and other chemicals, supplements may be a safer option.

The human body can make most of the types of fats it needs from other fats or raw materials. That isn't the case for omega-3 fatty acids (also called omega-3 fats and n-3 fats). These are essential fats—the body can't make them from scratch but must get them from food.

There are three main omega-3s:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) come mainly from fish, so they are sometimes called marine omega-3s.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the most common omega-3 fatty acid in most Western diets, is found in vegetable oils and nuts (especially walnuts), leafy vegetables, and some animal fat, especially in grass-fed animals. The human body generally uses ALA for energy, and conversion into EPA and DHA is very limited.

How much Omega-3 should I take?

Most experts recommend taking about 1 gram of EPA and DHA per day for those with heart disease. This equates to taking about 3-4 grams of fish oil per day. It is recommended that the adult general population consume at least 0.65 g/day of EPA + DHA.

SALE ON OMEGA-3'S

Until August 21, we are selling all Omega-3 products for 30% off. Hurry in...while supplies last. We carry Nordic Naturals Omega-3 supplements. These award-winning formulas are pharmaceutical grade, doctor-recommended, and third-party tested, showing they are unsurpassed in purity, freshness, and taste, and are virtually contaminant free. Nordic Naturals has been voted #1 for Purity, Freshness, Concentration, and overall Consumer Satisfaction.

Fish consumption, omega 3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease

Consumption of fish and its components should be promoted on a global scale especially in the case of subjects with cardiovascular problems. Although still some issues need to be faced especially in large scale interventions (i.e. the assessment of the omega 3 fatty acid status, correlations between levels and cardiovascular indexes and bioavailability of different forms of administration), these recommendations are highly valuable.

See article here.

In Wellness,
Dean L. Smith, DC, PhD
Jane P. Smith, DC
Jodi Knoll, RN

www.essenceofwellness.com
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