You Should Know About EFA'S and Fish OilPosted by Keith Reynolds on April 21st, 2021 Let me start by saying that Omega-3 is just about the one nutrition supplement you need to take. Over time numerous clinical trials has been designed to assess the health advantages of Omega-3 fatty acids. The bottom line of nearly all these trails is that taking Omega-3 will be beneficial to your wellbeing whether you are healthy or experiencing various health conditions. The foundation of our dependency in Omega-3 essential fatty acids is still unknown however the fact is that Omega-3 essential fatty acids are one of the major building blocks of the body. Back to the basics - what is Omega-3? Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial fatty acids: They are necessary for human health but the body can't make them therefore you have to get them through food. Omega-3 essential fatty acids usually refer to 3 types of fatty acids: ALA (alpha-Linolenic acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). Omega-3 fatty acids are available in fish, such as for example salmon, tuna, and halibut, other seafood including algae and krill, some plants, and nut oils. omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain work as well as normal growth and development. They have also become popular since they may reduce the risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon) at the very least 2 times a week. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the mind and appear to be important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. Actually, infants who don't get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are in risk for developing vision and nerve problems. Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation. Omega-3 in Childhood Brain Development Over the last trimester of fetal life and the first two years of childhood, the brain undergoes a period of rapid growth - the "brain growth spurt." Nutrient insufficiency during this period can compromise brain function. DHA is one nutrient absolutely required for the development of the sensory, perceptual, cognitive, and motor neural systems during the brain growth spurt. The essential need for DHA for brain development is beyond dispute. The neurons are continually forming axons and dendritic extensions with accompanying cell membranes. Growing membrane must be relatively fluid, and DHA is the most fluidizing aspect in cell membranes. Even the synapses which are the principal functional units of brain circuits are made of membranes preferentially enriched in DHA. The retina, functionally an extension of the brain, contains rods and cones with fluid membranes of all the body's cell types; they are also highly enriched in DHA. Laboratory animals (rodents, primates) with experimentally induced omega-3 deficiencies show deficits in retinal structure, visual acuity development, and cognitive performance. Perinatal Importance of DHA and EPA Demand for DHA rises exponentially because the brain rapidly expands in the 3rd trimester, and continues after birth because the baby interfaces with environmental stimuli. Infants born prematurely are at special risk for omega-3 insufficiency because they may not have benefited from the full trimester of the mother's lipid stores. Preterm infants have not a lot of capability to Synthesize DHA from the shorter chain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). After birth, omega-3 status depends on the infant's innate lipid metabolism and dietary intake of breast milk or formula. Although DHA and EPA are prominent ingredients of breast milk, many infant formulas do not contain these nutrients. Supplementing the mother's diet with ALA isn't a reliable means for obtaining DHA. In a single study, lactating mothers received 10.7 g/day of ALA from flaxseed oil for a month. Breast milk degrees of ALA, EPA, and DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) increased, but not that of DHA. All infants, whether preterm or full term, appear to require dietary DHA for retinal development and normal visual function. Treating Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia The importance of DHA/EPA for overall brain and motor development after birth is illustrated by dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD). DCD/dyspraxia involves specific impairments of motor function and seriously affects about five percent of school-aged children. DCD's core motor deficits tend to be accompanied by difficulties with learning, behavior, and psychosocial adjustment that overlap with dyslexia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and frequently persist into adulthood. Managing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder AD/HD is the most typical childhood developmental disorder, with prevalence estimates which range from 4-15 percent for school-age children in the United States and elsewhere. Often AD/HD persists up. Considerable damage to the individual, family, and society could be exacerbated by co-morbidity with many other disorders of behavior, learning, or mood. AD/HD children consistently exhibit abnormal fatty acid status. Typically, reductions have already been within DHA and total omega-3 a few of which may persist up. Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids Low omega-3 levels are associated with a selection of behavioral and learning problems. Omega-3 deficiencies correlate with behavioral problems (conduct disorder, hyperactivity-impulsivity, anxiety, temper tantrums, sleep difficulties) and learning difficulties in children. Omega-3 status may very well be more relevant to AD/HD and related behavioral disorders. Clinical Experience with Autism The emergent rationale for employing DHA/EPA for autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) along with other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) dates to 2001, with case histories provided independently by two research groups. Vancassel reported low DHA (measured in plasma phospholipids), 20-percent lower-than-normal total omega-3 in ASD children. Bradstreet and Kartzinel reported finding omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies in nearly 100 percent of ASD cases. Then in 2002, Hardy and Hardy claimed that, of 50 children diagnosed with PDD, 90 percent were deficient in red blood cell membrane DHA/EPA. Various integrative physicians dealing with ASD and PDD patients have integrated DHA and EPA into their comprehensive regimens. An organization in Austria conducted a six-week trial with 13 children, ages 5-17 years, diagnosed with ASD and displaying severe tantrums, aggression, and self-injurious behavior. Intervention was 1.5 g/day DHA/EPA (700 mg DHA and 840 mg EPA) or placebo. The DHA/EPA was well tolerated and there was a trend toward significant improvement over placebo for hyperactivity High cholesterol People who follow a Mediterranean-style diet generally have higher HDL or "good" cholesterol levels, which help promote heart health. Inuit Eskimos, who get high levels of omega-3 fatty acids from eating fatty fish, also tend to have increased HDL cholesterol and decreased triglycerides (fats in the blood). Several studies have shown that fish oil supplements abundant with omega-3 fatty acids reduce triglyceride levels. High blood pressure Several clinical studies suggest that diets or fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids lower blood circulation pressure in people with hypertension. An analysis of 17 clinical studies using fish oil supplements discovered that taking 3 or more grams of fish oil daily may reduce blood pressure in people with untreated hypertension. Heart disease One of the best methods to help prevent heart disease is to eat a diet lower in saturated fat and to eat foods that are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (including omega-3 essential fatty acids). Clinical evidence suggests that EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the two omega-3 fatty acids within fish oil) help reduce risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Fish oil has been proven to lower degrees of triglycerides (fats in the blood), also to lower risk of death, heart attack, stroke, and abnormal heart rhythms in people who have already had a heart attack. Fish oil also appears to help prevent and treat atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by slowing the development of plaque and blood clots, that may clog arteries. Large population studies claim that getting omega-3 essential fatty acids in the dietary plan, primarily from fish, helps protect against stroke caused by plaque buildup and blood clots in the arteries that lead to the brain. Diabetes People with diabetes frequently have high triglyceride and low HDL levels. Omega-3 essential fatty acids from fish oil might help lower triglycerides and apoproteins (markers of diabetes), and raise HDL, so eating foodstuffs or taking fish oil supplements abundant with omega-3 fatty acids can help people with diabetes. Another type of omega-3 fatty acid, ALA (from flaxseed, for instance) may not have the same benefit as fish oil. Some individuals with diabetes can' t efficiently convert ALA to a kind of omega-3 fatty acids that the body can use. Rheumatoid arthritis Most clinical studies examining omega-3 fatty acid supplements for arthritis have focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that triggers inflammation in the joints. A variety of studies have discovered that fish oil helps reduce outward indications of RA, including pain and morning stiffness. One study suggests that people with RA who take fish oil may be able to lower their dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Laboratory studies suggest that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids (and low in the inflammatory omega-6 essential fatty acids) may help people with osteoarthritis. New Zealand green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), another potential source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, has been reported to lessen joint stiffness and pain, increase grip strength, and improve walking pace in several people with osteoarthritis. An analysis of 17 clinical trials viewed the pain relieving ramifications of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in people with RA or joint pain caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) and painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea). The results suggest that omega-3 fatty acids, along with conventional therapies such as for example NSAIDs, may help relieve joint pain associated with these conditions.Like it? Share it! |