Omega 3 fatty acids 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. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as fish, flax seed oil and walnuts, while omega-6 fatty acids are found in refined vegetable oils used to make everything from margarine to baked goods and snack foods. The amount of omega-6 fatty acids in the Western diet increased sharply once refined vegetable oils became part of the average diet in the early 20th century.
Fish-Oil-Fisol Nature's Way
Each Fisol softgel delivers 30% EPA and 20% DHA.
The unique coating withstands stomach acid so Fisol dissolves in the small
intestine and maximizes the body's absorption of Omega-3 Essential Fatty
Acids.
Benefit of omega-3
oils and
fatty acids
Here are some of the health benefits of omeg-3 consumption,
particularly fish oils:
Reduction of high blood pressure.
Reducing the risk for heart disease and heart attack.
Reducing the risk of stroke.
Improving blood circulation
Improving vision
Reduce arthritis pain and chronic joint aches and
osteoarthritis.
Reducing the risk of mental illnesses such as depression and
bipolar
disorder.
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk for colon cancer.
Asthma
Influence of Omega 3 fatty acid dietary intake on asthma.
Rev Clin Esp. 2007 Jan;207(1):24-5. De Luis DA, Leon R, Izaola O.
Instituto de Endocrinologia y Nutricion. Facultad de Medicina. Unidad de Apoyo a
la Investigacion. Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega. Valladolid. Espana.
Some studies have detected a beneficial effect of Omega 3 (w3) fatty acid
dietary intake in the risk of asthma and other studies have demonstrated a
beneficial effect on clinical symptoms. In our area, a low intake of omega3
fatty acids is rare. However, we need to recommend a right intake of w3 and w6
fatty polyunsaturated fatty acids to reach a good ratio w-6/w-3. Perhaps, the
influence of polyunsaturated fatty acid intake could be due to the ratio w-6/w-3
and no to the total amount of w3 intake. A general recommendation is a dietary
intake of fish three times each week, one of them fat fish.
Blood lipids
Scientific research confirms the important role
of omega-3 essential fatty acids in maintaining healthy blood triglyceride
levels, as well as supporting the heart, skin and joints. Fish Oil
contains an abundance of two-key Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, EPA and DHA. It is well documented that cultures with a diet rich in fish oil have
healthier cardiovascular systems.
Bone health
Omega-3 fatty acids may help build young men's bone strength. Men who had
the highest levels of omega-3s in their blood as 22-year-olds showed the
greatest bone mineral density, and also built the most bone between their
late teens and their early 20s, Dr. Magnus Hogstrom and colleagues from
Umea University in Umea, Sweden found. The amount of bone mineral people
accumulate as adolescents and young adults is considered a key factor in
whether or not they will develop the brittle bone disease osteoporosis
later on, Hogstrom and his team note the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition. Animal studies have suggested omega-3 fatty acids, which are
found in fish and flaxseed as well as other food sources, may promote bone
formation and density. To investigate whether omega-3s might play a role
in bone strength, the researchers followed 78 young men from age 16 to 24.
They measured bone mineral density at three points in the course of the
study, and checked blood levels of fatty acids when the men were 22.
Higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic
acid), were linked to greater bone mineral density in the body and the
spine at age 22. Higher levels of omega-3s were also tied to greater
accumulation of spinal bone mineral density between age 16 and age 22.
Omega-3 fatty acids, the authors point out, might influence bone formation
by affecting calcium metabolism or the formation of collagen. American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2007.
Brain health, memory
Omega-3 fatty acids from
fish help prevent age-related cognitive decline.
In one study, Dutch researchers examined the diet and cognitive function
of 210 men, ages 70 to 89, who did not have Alzheimer's disease. The men
were assessed in 1990 and again in 1995. The researchers concluded that
consumption of approximately 400 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day
(equivalent to eating six servings of lean fish per week or one serving of
fatty fish per week) protects against cognitive decline. In the other
study, American researchers looked at omega-3 consumption and cognitive
decline in 2,251 white males, ages 50 to 65, who were initially assessed
between 1987 and 1989. The men were checked again three and nine years
later. Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with
protection against loss of verbal fluency. This association was
particularly strong in men with high blood pressure and dyslipidemia
(disruption in the amount of lipids in the blood) but was not evident in
men with major depression. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April
2007.
Colon
cancer
Protective Effects of Diets Supplemented with Omega-3 Polyunsaturated
Fatty Acids and Calcium Against Colorectal Tumor Formation.
Dig Dis Sci. 2007 Nov 28; Department of Clinical Biochemistry,
Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, 06018, Turkey.
This study is to evaluate the effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated
fatty acid (omega-3 PUFA) and/or calcium supplementation on colon tissue
of the carcinogenic N-methyl-N-nitrosurea (NMU)-injected rats and to
investigate this effect by the assessment of the oxidative stress. The
rats were divided into four groups: those fed with a standard diet, with a
diet supplemented by omega-3 PUFA, those fed with a diet with calcium, and
those fed with a standard diet with the combination of omega-3 PUFA and
calcium. These results suggest that the dietary supplementation of omega-3
fatty acids and/or calcium may be useful in the prevention of colorectal
tumor formation.
Crohn's disease
Omega 3 fatty acids are safe and may be helpful in Crohn's disease.
Diabetes, insulin sensitivity
A diet high in omega-3 fat improves insulin sensitivity and reduces
inflammatory markers.
Glaucoma
Researchers at the University of Melbourne,
Australia wanted to know whether there was an association between dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake
and glaucoma. Rats were fed either
omega-3-sufficient or omega-3-deficient diets from conception. The omega-3 diet contained safflower, flaxseed, and
tuna oils, and the omega-3 deficient diet contained
safflower oil only. Animals raised on
high omega-3 diets had a decrease in intra ocular pressure when they got
older, meaning that the inclusion of tuna oil in their diet reduced their
risk of developing glaucoma.
Heart health
Saturated fatty acids contribute essentially to plaque formation in
arteries leading to coronary artery disease.There is a beneficial effect
on the clinical manifestation of coronary heart disease when saturated
fatty acids of animal provenience are partially replaced by omega 3 fatty
acids. Fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic and docosaexaenoic acid and rape
seed oil rich in alpha linolenic acid) addition to the diet leads to a
decrease in sudden cardiac death and non fatal myocardial infarction.
Long-chain omega-3-fatty acids have a direct antiarrhythmic effect on
myocytes.
Omega-3 fatty acids provide protection against stroke, particularly ischemic
stroke. The cardioprotective effects of omega3 fatty acids relate to
improvements in blood pressure, cardiac function, arterial compliance and
vascular function, as well as improved lipid metabolism, antiplatelet and
anti-inflammatory effects.
Heart rate
Effects of omega-3 Fatty acids on heart rate in cardiac transplant recipients.
Am J Cardiol. 2006 Nov 15;98(10):1393-5. Epub 2006 Oct 2. Harris WS,
Gonzales M, Laney N, Sastre A, Borkon AM.
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri;
Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas, Missouri.
Omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 FA) consumption has been linked to reductions in the
risk of death from coronary heart disease and, recently, to lower heart rates.
The investigators previously observed a reduction of 5 beats/min in heart rate
in patients with coronary heart disease given omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic
acid and docosahexaenoic acid) for 4 months. Reductions in HR may be explained
by enhanced vagal tone, influences on cardiac voltage-gated ion channels, or
both. The hypothesis that n-3 FAs would affect HR independent of vagal input was
investigated by studying the effects of n-3 FA supplementation on heart rate in
patients with denervated hearts after orthotopic heart transplantation.
Electrocardiographic data obtained in 2 prospective trials in which 18 heart
transplant recipients received n-3 FA supplementation (1 to 3.4 g/day) for 4 to
6 months were collected. In conclusion, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation
reduced heart rate and prolonged QRS duration in heart transplant recipients who
were presumably devoid of vagal innervation. These findings suggest that omga-3
FAs may modify electrophysiologic properties of the myocardium itself.
Inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation.
Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2004 Nov;6(6):461-7.
Dietary omega-3 fatty acids have a variety of anti-inflammatory and
immune-modulating effects that may be of relevance to atherosclerosis and its
clinical manifestations of myocardial infarction, sudden death, and stroke. The
n-3 fatty acids that appear to be most potent in this respect are the long-chain polyunsaturates derived from marine oils, namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). A
variety of biologic effects of EPA and DHA have been demonstrated from feeding
studies with fish or fish oil supplements in humans and animals. These
include effects on triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,
platelet function, endothelial and vascular function, blood pressure,
cardiac excitability, measures of oxidative stress, pro- and
anti-inflammatory cytokines, and immune function. Epidemiologic studies
provide evidence for a beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids on
manifestations of coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke, whereas
randomized, controlled, clinical feeding trials support this, particularly
with respect to sudden cardiac death in patients with established disease.
Clinically important anti-inflammatory effects in man are further
suggested by trials demonstrating benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
Lung disease
Good News for Those with Chronic Bronchitis or COPD.
Japanese researchers at Kagoshima University Hospital found that
supplements of omega-3 fatty acids appeared to improve patients' breathing
difficulties -- possibly by countering the airway inflammation seen in the
disease. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found largely in oily
fish, and to a lesser extent in flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans and canola
oil. COPD is a group of serious lung diseases that includes emphysema and
chronic bronchitis. Half of the 64 patients drank a liquid supplement rich
in omega-3 fats each day; the other half drank a supplement containing
omega-6 fats, another type of polyunsaturated fat found in many foods,
including vegetable oils and meat. After two years, patients in the
omega-3 supplement group showed an overall improvement on tests that
measured their breathing during a short bout of exercise.
Parkinson's disease
Mice that are fed chow supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids for a
period of 10 months have better brain defenses against Parkinson's
disease. Some researchers think that omeg-3 deficiency is a risk factor
for developing Parkinson's disease, and that people would benefit from
increasing their dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
Pregnancy
Dr. Jean Golding, at the University of Bristol, has discovered an association
between a low omega-3 fatty acid intake from seafood and an increased risk of
high levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Dr. Jean Golding
evaluated 9960 pregnant women. At 32 weeks of pregnancy, the women completed a
questionnaire that included inquiries about mood and the amount of seafood they
ate weekly during 1991 and 1992 -- a period when seafood was the main source of
omega-3 fatty acids in Britain. Compared with pregnant women who ate 3 or more
servings of seafood per week - the equivalent of more than 1.5 grams of omega-3
fatty acids -- those who ate no seafood were about 50 percent more likely to
report symptoms of depression at 32 weeks of pregnancy. Epidemiology, July 2009
Wild Alaskan Salmon
Oil, 1000 mg, 180 Softgels - Natural Factors
Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is a good
source of Omega-3 fatty acids with the same ratio found in free-swimming
salmon. Many studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids found in
free-swimming salmon. Many studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids found in
fish oil have numerous health advantages and are especially helpful for
the cardiovascular system. Natural Factors supports the sustainable use
of wild salmon through contributions to salmon using fish parts that would
otherwise be wasted, therefore there is no depletion of existing stocks.
Natural Factors Wild Salmon Oil has no antibiotic or hormone residues
often found in farmed salmon and is frequently tested for chemical
residues and heavy metals.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May
Alleviate Symptoms of Bechterews Disease - press release
Study Shows EPAX 5500 TG Concentrated Fish Oil Supplement Provided
Relief of Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain
AALESUND, Norway (Jan. 31, 2007) -- Results from a clinical study of
patients living north of the polar circle in Sweden and suffering from
Ankylosing
Spondolitis, or Bechterews disease, a chronic rheumatic disease mainly
affecting joints of the spine, were recently presented in the Scandinavian
Journal of Rheumatology by Bjorn Sundstrom. The study demonstrates that
treatment with marine- based Omega-3 fatty acids may provide relief of
symptoms in Bechterew patients and possibly also delay disease progression
as has been observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Bechterews disease, also known as ankylosing spondylitis, is a chronic
rheumatic disease mainly affecting joints of the spine and often the
larger joints of the extremities. It is more common in males than females
and is closely related to a genetic marker of white blood cells, the
so-called HLA-B27 antigen. This marker is especially common in people
living in polar and sub-polar regions. In North Sweden this genetic
pattern is found in 17 percent of the population leading to a prevalence
of developing Bechterews disease of .5 percent. Inuits, the native peoples
of the northern region of North America and Greenland have an even higher
risk of developing the disease. Surprisingly, though, the risk of getting
the disease in this region is low, and if it has developed, the symptoms
are usually mild. The reason for this has been unknown until now. The use
of omega-3 fatty acids having anti-inflammatory properties for treatment
of rheumatoid arthritis is well established in Scandinavia but no such
information had previously been reported in Bechterew patients. In order
to examine whether patients would respond positively to omega-3 fatty acid
treatment 24 patients were randomly allocated to a high-dose omega-3
regimen given 4.5 grams daily or a low-dose regimen with two grams daily.
The patients were followed for 21 weeks. The omega-3 product used was EPAX
5500 TG, a condition-specific, marine- derived, concentrate with 55
percent EPA / DHA fatty acids, from EPAX AS, Lysaker, Norway. At the end
of the study disease activity was significantly reduced in the high-dose
group with fewer patient-reported symptoms. Some patients reported even an
increased mental alertness. However, no effect was observed in the
low-dose group. Dosage of omega-3 fatty acids is essential since doses of
three grams or more are needed for achieving effects. In the present
study, positive effects were only recorded in the high-dose group.
"Perhaps this study from North Sweden sheds light on the mystery why
Inuits having the genetic marker for developing Bechterews do not develop
the disease very often," said Sundstrom. Traditionally, the Inuits have a
high intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating salmon and sea mammals that
provide a regular daily intake of these fatty acids that have
well-documented anti-inflammatory properties. Such a dietary regimen could
be sufficient to curtail a genetic preponderance for developing the
disease." Sundstrom noted that in North Sweden, however, the inhabitants
have a more general non-marine diet and may therefore be more disposed to
developing Bechterews disease than those with marine-heavy diets. The
present study clearly indicates that patients with Bechterews disease may
benefit from a treatment with omega-3 fatty acids. Such a dietary regimen
could eventually be sufficient to curtail a genetic preponderance for
developing the disease."
Omega-6 versus omega-3 fatty acids and
health effects
Studies indicate that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids shifts
the physiologic state to one that encourages blood clotting and platelet
aggregation, increases in blood viscosity, spasm of blood vessels, and
vasoconstriction. Omega-3 Fatty acids, however, have antiinflammatory,
antithrombotic, antiarrhythmic, hypolipidemic, and vasodilatory
properties.
Omega-3 and
statin drugs
People taking cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins who also consume omega-3
fatty acids -- typically found in fish and fish oil -- have a better
chance of avoiding heart problems than patients who take statins alone. "Our
study shows that long-term use of EPA (an omega-3 fatty acid) at therapeutic
doses is effective for prevention of major coronary events in
hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) patients given statins in Japan who
consume a large amount of fish," said lead researcher Dr. Mitsuhiro Yokoyama. He
is a professor of medicine at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine.
In the study, called the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study, Yokoyama and his
colleagues assigned 18,645 people to receive either 1,800 milligrams of one of
the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), every day plus a statin,
or a statin alone. During an average follow-up of 4.6 years, the researchers
found a 19 percent reduction in major coronary events among patients taking EPA.
Patients taking EPA also had 19 percent fewer non-fatal events -- including
non-fatal heart attack, unstable angina, and coronary revascularization -- than
people taking statins alone. However, the incidence of sudden cardiac death and
death from heart disease did not differ between the groups. "This study is
further evidence of the benefit of omega-3 fatty acids for protecting against
heart attacks and other cardiac events," said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, an
assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School
of Public Health, and author of an accompanying editorial in the journal.
References:
1) Sundstrom B, et al. Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in patients
with ankylosing spondylitis. Scand J Rheumatol 2006;35:359-362
2) Fortin PR et al. The effects of fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis;
validation of a meta-analysis. J Clin Epidemiol 1995; 48:1379-1390
June 2009
Paladin Labs Inc., a leading Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company,
announced the launch of GELICIOUS! and GELMEG3, the first and only Omega 3
supplements in a tasty gel format, specifically designed for those among us who
do not like to and/or cannot swallow pills. Both GELICIOUS! for kids and GELMEG3
for adults contain Health Canada approved key levels of DHA (docosahexanoic
acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) that previously could have proved
difficult for non-fish eaters to ensure they consume as part of their normal
daily nutritional intake. With these branded products Paladin is excited to
extend its innovative approach from prescription and OTC products into the realm
of nutritional supplements via the BioEnvelop division. Both Gelicious! and
GelMeg3 are not only unique given their creamy orange texture, but both brands
are truly satisfying a unique need in the marketplace as research indicates that
at least 40% of adults have issues with swallowing pills. For the first time in
Canada - a convenient Omega 3 daily supplement that tastes great at room
temperature or cold.
Blood test
A blood test, measuring the level of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells, is
available for the the public as a consumer-friendly, at-home "finger stick"
test. While scientists have long known of the benefits of fish and fish oil for
overall heart health, over the past decade research has proven that the omega-3
fatty acids found in fish dramatically reduce one's risk for cardiovascular
disease. Further, recent research indicates that omega-3 levels may be among the
best predictors of future coronary heart disease - providing much stronger
correlations to the risk of sudden cardiac death than traditional indicators,
including HDL and LDL cholesterol. The Gene Smart Omega-3 Index measures the
amount of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cell membranes and is
expressed as the percent of total fatty acids. Floyd "Ski" Chilton, PhD, a
pioneer in inflammatory disease and omega-3 research and a professor of
Physiology and Pharmacology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine says
that individuals have varying capacities to metabolize omega-3s. "Even if a
person eats fish or takes fish oil supplements, they may not be getting enough,"
Dr. Floyd Chilton says. In introducing the Gene Smart Omega-3 Index, Gene Smart
has partnered with a pioneer of omega-3 research and cardiovascular disease,
William S. Harris, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and
Basic Biomedical Sciences at the Sanford School of Medicine of the University of
South Dakota and a co-author on the American Heart Association's (AHA)
Scientific Advisory on Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids published in Circulation
(Vol. 106:2002). Dr. Harris has published over 80 scientific articles on
omega-3s, including his ground-breaking study, published in Preventive Medicine
(Vol. 39, 2004) with co-author Clemens von Schacky, MD, a cardiologist from
Munich, which first proposed the Omega-3 Index as a cardiovascular risk factor.
The Gene Smart Omega-3 Index uses Dr. Harris's proprietary HS-Omega-3 Index
methodology -- the same methodology used in the clinical studies that validated
the correlation between the Omega-3 Index and heart disease risk. In addition to
measuring the amount of omega-3s in the bloodstream, the new Gene Smart blood
test provides a measure of a person's omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Leading experts
believe that the marked shift in omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids in the Western diet
over the past three generations has led to an overall increase in chronic whole
body inflammation and a higher incidence of allergic and inflammatory disease
including cardiovascular disease, asthma, allergies, diabetes and arthritis.
This is of concern because omega-3s tend to be anti-inflammatory and
cardioprotective, while consuming too many omega-6 fats can lead to an
overproduction of inflammatory messengers. Dr. Chilton's latest research in
nutrient/gene interactions, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry
(June 5, 2009), demonstrated that shifting ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 from
greater than 15:1 to less than 5:1 in humans can positively influence genes that
provide protection against allergies and other inflammatory diseases. According
to Floyd Chilton, the increased omega-6 fatty acids in the typical U.S. diet is
due in large part to the industrialization of our food supply and increased
consumption of omega-6 rich foods such as vegetable oils, salad oils, margarine
and fried foods. Combined with a reduced consumption of omega-3 rich fish, this
has resulted in omega-6 / omega-3 ratios often well in excess of 10:1.
Anthropological evidence suggests that our hunter-gatherer ancestors maintained
a ratio closer to 2:1. Gene Smart Wellness (GSW) is a preventative healthcare
company that utilizes understanding of the relation between diet and exercise,
our genes and our health to empower individuals to take control of their health
in order to live life abundantly. Floyd "Ski" Chilton, PhD, is the company's
Chief Scientific Advisor and author of numerous articles and books on health and
nutrition. His most recent book, The Gene Smart Diet (Rodale, 2009), makes the
connection between what we eat, our genes and our health. Dr. Chilton is a
professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Chief Scientific
Advisor to GeneSmart Wellness, the company offering the Omega-3 Index test. His
conflict of interest( )has been disclosed to Wake Forest University Health
Sciences and outside sponsors and is institutionally managed.
Omega 3 supplement questions
Q. i read that omega3 in fish oil can increase level of apoprotein
associated with ldl, Should this woory those > who take fish oil? And
assuming the level of apoprotein is increased, does that mean that my Lp(a)
will automatically increase? i learned that Lp(a) is ldl plus apoprotein.
A. We think fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids are good for lipids
in the body.
Q. I am deciding between purchasing the Source Naturals
cod liver oil omega 3 or GPRX Omega-3 AD from gprxstore.com. Are
there any key advantages that Source Naturals cod liver oil product can
offer?
A. We are not familiar with the other product you mention.
Q. What are your thoughts on omega 3-6-9 products? My
wife and I have been taking Omega 3-6-9 by Puritan's Pride for several
years.
A. Regarding omega 3 6 9 products, there is no reason to ingest
omega 6 since the American diet already has too much omega 6. The omega-3s
are the ones that are lacking.
Q. I would like to take omega3 fish oils but I'm
confused about what type, how much and so on. Do you need the Omega 6 and
9 too? Should the DHA be higher then the EPA and if so what should the
daily dosage of each be.
A. Most Americans need more omega3 in a supplement form than omega6
or omega9. Wild fish oils are a great option in terms of providing the
excellent omega3s in the form of EPA and DHA at one to three capsules a
day.
Q. Is omega H3 for weight gain, for i am really want to gain weight. At
the moment i am using Omega H3. Is it good for weight gain.
A. We are not familiar with this product.
Q. What does someone do that when allergic to
shellfish? Do you have an omega 3 that does not have shell fish in it?
A. Omega 3 fish oil supplements are obtained from the meat of fish
such as mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, cod liver and halibut, not from
shellfish. We have no reason to believe those with shellfish allergy would
have problems taking fish oil supplements. However, your doctor is the
final decision maker as to the appropriateness of taking fish oil
supplements in your particular condition.
Regarding omega-3 enriched foods that are being marketed. From what I've
read, everything from orange juice to cereals to eggs have been fortified. Do
these added amounts of omega-3 make much of a difference or is it mainly a
marketing gimmick? And of the omega-3 enriched food products available, which
ones do you think really deliver, if any?
We have not read the labels to see how much omega-3 is added to
the food products. The bottom line may be cost. If the amount of enriched
omega-3 adds significantly to the cost of the product which would be higher than
the cost of taking one cheap fish oil capsule, then I see no reason to pay extra
for omega-3 enriched foods.
I would like to know if fish oil is bad for a woman who have a
high testosterone, does fish oil make it higher or do not do anything?
We have not seen such studies but it is unlikely the use of
such supplements has a major effect on testosterone levels.
Suppliers
Nordic Naturals, an industry leader in omega-3 fish oil, introduces
Omega-3 Effervescent, an innovative way to enjoy fish oil
supplementation via a water-soluble drink mix containing EPA and DHA in
a delicious orange flavor. This revolutionary delivery system is clean
on the palate and offers all the amazing health benefits of omega-3s and
vitamin D3, such as heart, brain, joint and bone support, without any
hint of fish. Packaged in single-serving packets, the product is easy to
use and lets you Drink Your Omegas-3s(TM) anytime and anywhere. Just add
water! Each serving offers 500 mg of EPA and DHA as well as 1200 I.U. of
vitamin D3.According to Bradley West, ND, Nordic Naturals Research
Advisor, "in traditional delivery systems like soft gels, the omega-3s
in cod liver oil need to be gradually broken down by stomach acids in
order to be absorbed in the small intestine. With the effervescent
technology in place, the omega-3s can be absorbed and enter the blood
stream faster - in as little as 15 minutes." In addition to quicker
absorption, the product is also easy on the stomach. The organic food
acid combines with the carbonate, which buffers the effervescent
solution to a normal pH. "Omega-3 Effervescent is the ultimate solution
for individuals with digestive challenges, or those that find it hard to
swallow soft gels, as well as the perfect way to ensure compliance when
traveling," adds Dr. West.Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Effervescent contains
cod liver oil made from Arctic cod harvested in a sustainable manner
from Norwegian waters. Arctic cod is a flourishing fish population that
has the highest DHA content of any cod species, as well as naturally
occurring vitamins A and D. The formula contains added natural vitamin
D3 for enhanced bone, mood and immune support. Sweetened with stevia in
creamy orange flavor, the product has no oily feel or texture and never
smells or tastes fishy. Omega-3 Effervescent is available in 7 and 21
count packages and can be used by both children and adults.