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.

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 back to Fish Oils

Omega-3 fatty acids and 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.

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."

Omeg-3 fatty acids and 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.

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