Fish Oils capsules supplement fish oils benefits fish oil capsule dosage
Fish oils
are fascinating nutrients. Almost every aspect of our health, physical and
mental, is related to the types of fatty acids that make up our cells and
tissues. And it appears that most of us are not ingesting the right kind of
fatty acids, the ones found in fish and fish oils.
You may also consider reading about
krill oil or to buy
Krill-Oil. Krill oil has the advantage
of having
Astaxanthin.
Fish Oil capsules Physical Benefits
Fish and fish oils may be beneficial in a variety of medical conditions
(see the studies at bottom of page):
Fish oils reduce the risk for
heart disease
and may also reduce
hypertension in some supplement users.
Fish oils reduce the risk of heart
arrhythmias
May reduce symptoms of
arthritis and several
autoimmune conditions.
Eating fish and perhaps taking fish oil supplements may also help
reduce the risk for
macular degeneration.
Fish oils are found in sperm, and these oils may support healthy sexual
organ function.
Fish Oil capsules Mental Benefits
Dr. Malcolm Peet of the Swallownest Court Hospital in Sheffield, England
and his colleague found that depressed patients who received a daily dose of 1 gram of an
omega-3 fatty acid for 12 weeks experienced a decrease in their symptoms, such as sadness,
anxiety and sleeping problems. Fish oils are beneficial for vision.
Fish oils
capsules for
depression
Though some research has suggested that fish oil may fight depression,
the evidence from clinical trials is too mixed to draw any conclusions. In an
analysis of 12 recent clinical trials, British researchers found little evidence
that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) improved participants'
depression. One problem is that the trials included a wide range of patients,
according to Dr. Katherine M. Appleton and her colleagues at the University of
Bristol. Some studies examined adults with major depression, while others
focused on bipolar disorder. Some assessed depression in people with other
disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or obsessive-compulsive disorder. In
addition, the treatment type and doses varied widely. In some studies,
participants took fish oil supplements along with their standard therapy, while
other studies used only the supplements. In theory, fish oils could affect
depression symptoms through their action in the brain. Several studies have
suggested the fatty acids aid in the function of certain chemical messengers in
the brain that are linked to depression. In addition, some population studies
have found that people who regularly eat fish have a relatively lower risk of
depression. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2006.
Fish Oils for Heart Rhythm Problems
Daily supplementation with fish oils prevents a potentially-deadly decline in heart rate variability associated
with exposure to indoor air pollution. Heart
rate variability
measures the variability in the intervals between heartbeats, with lower
variability being associated with higher risks of heart disease and death. A
normal heart does not always have the same time intervals between beats, but
every so often (in cycles) the interval between cardiac beats changes; i.e. a
little shorter, or longer. How frequent these variations occur are a measure of
the effect of the nervous regulation of the heart. A sick heart losses this fine
tuning.
There are many causes for heart rhythm
abnormalities, and one of them is taking too high doses of certain herbs
that have a stimulating effect. Keep your dosages of
supplements to the minimum that works for you, and also to take occasional
breaks, for instance one or two days off each week to allow your system to
come back to normal from potential overstimulation.
Fish oils better than cardiac defibrillators?
Fish oils could potentially save more lives than cardiac defibrillators.
Many studies have already established a link between consumption of EPA
and DHA fatty acids found in oily fish to a lower risk of fatal heart
rhythm abnormalities. This latest study tried to estimate the potential
public health impact of raising omega-3 levels with fish oil supplements.
Using a computer-simulated community of 100,000 Americans and data from
past medical studies, the researchers estimated that raising omega-3
levels would save 58 lives each year. This amounts to a 6 percent total
death reduction -- mostly by preventing sudden cardiac death, according to
the study authors, led by Dr. Thomas E. Kottke of the Heart Center at
Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Even if automated external
defibrillators (AEDs) were available in every home and public area, the
devices would lower a community's annual death rate by less than 1
percent. Based on this analysis, it appears that communities where people
eat more fish or supplement with fish oil would have more widespread
benefits than either AEDs or implanted defibrillators. American Journal of
Preventive Medicine, October 2006.
Most people can benefit from taking one, two or three fish oil
softgels a day unless they consume fish at least two times a week.
Metabolism of
Fish Oils
Fish oils are made in the body from a fatty acid
called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid found predominantly in flaxseed oil (also
known as linseed) and hemp seed oil. Green leafy vegetables, soybeans, walnuts, and canola
oil have small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial because
they provide fluidity to cell membranes and improve communication between brain cells.
Omega-3s also reduce the clotting ability of platelets, thus potentially decreasing the
incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Two very important omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)
which together are found in fish oils. These fatty acids are found in seafood,
especially mackerel, salmon, striped bass, rainbow trout, halibut, tuna, and sardines.
How are Fish Oils available?
Supplements of fish oils that contain EPA and DHA are sold over the counter. DHA is also
sold by itself. In the body, DHA is found mostly in the brain, retina, and in sperm.
At this time I don't see a need to take DHA by itself. It's much cheaper and
perhaps better to take both EPA and DHA together. For more
fish oils info.
Fisol, 180 Softgels Fish Oils, Nature's Way
Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, Natural Factors
Click on
Omega 3 Fish Oils to purchase either product. Another product is
Fisol.
Reduce the risk of sudden death with omega-3s
An editorial in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
suggests that increasing dietary omega-3 fatty acids, which come from fatty fish or
flaxseed oil, and decreasing omega-6 fatty acids, found in plant seed oils such as corn,
safflower, and sunflower, is a way to reduce the risk of sudden death from irregular heart
rhythms or heart attacks.
One cause of sudden death is ventricular
fibrillation, in which the heart contracts in a fast and chaotic rhythm that makes it
unable to pump blood to the rest of the body. A number of factors including cigarette use,
fasting, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or heart attack can trigger the release of fatty acids
from adipose tissue.
Fats that we eat are stored in adipose (fat)
tissue. When these fats are released from their storage sites, they become free fatty
acids. But not all fatty acids are equal in their propensity to cause arrhythmias. High
levels of omega-6 fatty acids may encourage arrhythmias if their levels aren’t
balanced by omega-3 fatty acids.
Comments: The American
Heart Association revised its dietary recommendations to include advice to eat two meals
of fatty fish – such as salmon or halibut – per week. We recommend those who
don’t eat fish to take 3 to 5 fish oil capsules or a teaspoon of flaxseed oil per day
and to try reducing their intake of omega-6 oils.
Fish Oil Interactions with Medicines
Taking fish oil capsules can thin the blood even more when taken along
with warfarin (Coumadin)... see study below.
Fish and Fish Oils Could Help Your Eyesight
The rods and cones of the retina in the eyes are very rich
in DHA, one of the fatty acids found in fish oils. Hence, a deficiency in dietary fish oils will reduce the photoreceptor activity of
retinal cells, and thus reduce visual acuity. On the other hand, supplementation with fish
oils (or flaxseed oil) could lead to visual improvement with enhanced color perception.
Since levels of DHA in the brain decline with
age, it is likely that the levels of DHA also decline in the retina. Is it possible that
daily intake of fish oils can improve vision in older individuals? Hopefully future
research can give us some answers.
Do the types of fats and oils we consume have an influence on
how well we see as we age? An epidemiological research study completed recently in
Australia and published in Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that the incidence of age
related macular degeneration (ARMD) is reduced in those who consume fish.
ARMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 50
and this eye disease is currently incurable. In this condition, central vision is lost,
but peripheral vision almost always remains intact. Today an estimated 12 million
Americans have some form of the disease.
The retina lies in the back of the eye and is composed of cells called
rods and cones. The retina gathers light and visual information from the outside world.
This information is then transmitted through a special nerve bundle, called the optic
tract, to an area in the back of the brain called the visual cortex. The visual cortex, in
turn, interprets this information.
The macula is the special central area in the retina used for fine
focus such as reading, driving, watching television, and recognizing people. There is a
gradual loss of visual acuity as the macula degenerates with age, eventually leading to
blindness.
The study, done by researchers at the Australian National University,
evaluated 3654 individuals aged 49 and over. The participants completed a detailed food
questionnaire and had photographs taken of their macula. A higher frequency of fish
consumption was associated with a decreased incidence of ARMD. It was also found that
those with very high levels of cholesterol intake were more likely to have ARMD.
Why would eating fish be beneficial to the macula? The answer
is not fully understood. Ray Sahelian, M.D., author of Mind Boosters: A Guide to Natural
Supplements That Enhance Your Mind, Memory, and Mood (St. Martin's Press, 2000, $13.95),
says, "We do know that the retina is chock full of omeg-3 fatty acids, particularly
those found in fish oils. These omega-3 fatty acids are known as EPA (eicosapentanoic
acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid). Those who eat little fish or whose dietary intake is
deficient in omega-3 oils may, over time, develop a shortage of these fatty acids in their
macula." He adds, "I often recommend fish oil supplements to individuals whose
fish intake is very low. Clinically, I have noticed that fish oil supplements improve
focus, color perception and clarity of vision." Dr. Sahelian also recommends his
patients consume adequate amount of fruits and vegetables that contain carotenoids and
flavonoids, nutrients with antioxidant properties.
Reference: Smith W, Mitchell P, Leeder SR. Dietary fat and fish
intake and age-related maculopathy. Arch Ophthalmol 2000 Mar;118(3):401-4; National
Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Australian
Capital Territory.
Fish oil supplements and
pregnancy
Pregnant women who take fish oil supplements have less inflammation in cord
blood leading to a less allergic profile. Dr. Susanne Krauss-Etschmann from
Children's Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany evaluated
how fish oil supplements given to pregnant women from week 22 until delivery
affected maternal and fetal allergy-related parameters. Fish oil supplementation
was associated with decreased maternal mRNA expression levels of
interferon-gamma and interleukin-1 and with increases in TGF-beta, decreases in
cord blood CCR4, IL-13, and IL-4 mRNA levels. Expression of TH1-associated
cytokines was unaffected by fish oil supplementation. All these point to
possible benefits in terms of allergic reactions in infants, but these findings
need to determined in actual clinical studies. J Allergy Clin Immunol
2008;121:464-470.
Fish Oil study
Immediate effects of n-3 fatty acid infusion on the induction
of sustained ventricular tachycardia.
Schrepf R. linikum der Universitat Munchen, 80336
Munich, Germany.
Lancet. 2004 May 1;363(9419):1441-2.
Increased consumption of n-3 fatty acids reduces mortality from sudden
cardiac death, indicating that such acids have anti-arrhythmic effects. We did
electrophysiological testing in ten patients with implanted cardioverter
defibrillators who were at high risk of sudden cardiac death. To assess their
immediate effects on the induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia, n-3
fatty acids were infused. Such tachycardia was not induced in five of seven
patients. Our findings show that infusion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
does not induce arrhythmia, but did result in a reduction of sustained
ventricular tachycardia in some patients.
Fish oil interaction with warfarin.
Buckley MS, Goff AD,Shawnee Mission, KS of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
85724
Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Jan;38(1):50-2.
To report a case of elevated international normalized ratio (INR)
in a patient taking fish oil and warfarin. A 67-year-old white
woman had been taking warfarin for 1(1/2) years due to recurrent transient
ischemic attacks. Her medical history included hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia,
osteopenia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. She also experienced an
inferior myocardial infarction in 1995 requiring angioplasty, surgical repair of
her femoral artery in 1995, and hernia repair in 1996. This patient has her INR
checked in the anticoagulation clinic and is followed monthly by the clinical
pharmacist. Prior to the interaction, her INR was therapeutic for 5 months while
she was taking warfarin 1.5 mg/d. The patient admitted to doubling her fish oil
dose from 1000 to 2000 mg/d. Without dietary, lifestyle, or medication changes,
the INR increased from 2.8 to 4.3 within 1 month. The INR decreased to 1.6 one
week after subsequent fish oil reduction, necessitating a return to the original
warfarin dosing regimen. Fish oil supplementation could have
provided additional anticoagulation with warfarin therapy. Fish oil, an omega-3
polyunsaturated fatty acid, consists of eicosapentaenoic acid and
docosahexaenoic acid. This fatty acid may affect platelet aggregation and/or
vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Omega-3 fatty acids may lower
thromboxane A(2) supplies within the platelet as well as decrease factor VII
levels. Although controversial, this case report illustrates that fish oil can
provide additive anticoagulant effects when given with warfarin. CONCLUSIONS:
This case reveals a significant rise in INR after the dose of concomitant fish
oil was doubled. Patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy with warfarin
should be educated about and monitored for possible drug-herb interactions.
Pharmacists can play a crucial role in identifying possible drug interactions by
asking patients taking warfarin about herbal and other alternative medicine
product use.
Smart Eating for a Smarter Baby
The brain is largely made of fat, and the types of fat we consume can have an
influence on how well our brain functions. Most studies show that fish oils (DHA
and EPA) are essential to optimal brain function. But does maternal diet
influence brain development of the child? There is a growth spurt in the human
brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first postnatal months,
with a large increase in the cerebral content of DHA. The fetus and the newborn
infant depend on maternal supply of DHA. Sometimes maternal intake of DHA during
pregnancy and lactation is marginal. Researchers at the University of Oslo in
Norway examined the effect of supplementing pregnant and lactating women with
cod liver oil on mental development of the children, compared with maternal
supplementation with corn oil. The study was randomized and double-blinded. A
total of 590 pregnant women were recruited in week 18 of pregnancy to take daily
10 mL of cod liver oil or corn oil until 3 months after delivery. The cod liver
oil contains DHA and EPA. The corn oil contains linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic
acid. All infants of these women were scheduled for assessment of cognitive
function at 6 and 9 months of age. As part of the protocol, 135 subjects from
this population were invited for intelligence testing with the Kaufman
Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) at 4 years of age. The K-ABC is a
measure of intelligence and achievement designed for children aged 2.5 years
through 12.5 years. Children who were born to mothers who had taken cod liver
oil during pregnancy and lactation scored higher on the Mental Processing
Composite of the K-ABC at 4 years of age as compared with children whose mothers
had taken corn oil. Dr. Sahelian says: Women who are pregnant may consider
eating more fish, taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements in consultation
with their obstetrician.
Fish oil supplements contain no mercury
ConsumerLab.com, an independent evaluator of dietary supplements and nutrition
products, released results of its product review of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA &
DHA) from fish oils. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
are fatty acids that have been shown to help reduce cardiovascular disease,
reduce the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as showing promise
in the treatment of a number of other conditions. A concern with fish oil
products has been potential contamination with mercury. ConsumerLab.com
purchased 20 dietary supplements containing EPA and/or DHA and tested them for
their claimed levels of these ingredients as stated on the label, as well as for
mercury contamination and evidence of decomposition. Although six of the
products had lower levels of EPA/DHA as stated on the label, none of the twenty
products showed evidence of decomposition and none were found to contain
detectable levels of mercury.
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