Omega 3 fish oil EPA and Dha explained

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Title: Omega 3 fish oil EPA and Dha explained

Word Count: 597

Author: McEvoy

Email: davemcevoy2004@...

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Omega 3 fish oil EPA and Dha explained

Copyright 2005 McEvoy

There is no doubt that Omega 3 fish oil can not only help

your heart and joints, but your brain too. Most people are

aware of these benefits, but aren’t sure whether the

benefits of Omega 3 fish oil apply across the board for all

types of Omega 3 fish oils. There are now many different

brands available on the world market, with sellers aiming

to capitalise on the Omega 3 fish oil ‘boom’. This makes

for such a wide range of products and so many claims that

it is hard for the consumer to sift fact from fiction.

Omega 3 fish oil contains two active ingredients: EPA

(Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid).

Most fish oils on the market contain both these ingredients

in various quantities - the argument that has arisen

concerns which of these essential nutrients you need, and

which is better than the other.

The simple answer to this is that both are vital nutrients,

but they are each important at different stages of life; it

is becoming clear in the scientific community that they

both have different functions.

DHA

DHA is now thought to constitute the ‘building blocks’ of

the brain, forming about 8% of the brain by weight - this

is why it is important for pregnant mothers to ensure an

adequate supply throughout pregnancy.

DHA is also added to some infant milk formulas by some

leading manufacturers, as an infant requires a lot of DHA

in the first two years of life to support the growth of the

brain.

EPA

EPA however is different; this essential nutrient is now

considered by some leading doctors and professors in the UK

as being the single most vital nutrient in the functioning

of the brain and nerve stimulation.

This was highlighted by the release of a very high profile

book by a leading psychiatric professor, who is using a

very strong form of ethyl EPA to help treat patients of his

who suffer from depression and schizophrenia. Moreover, the

ethyl EPA that the professor is using has had the DHA

removed. In the book he explains that Ethyl EPA fish oil is

not as potent, and does not give the same therapeutic

effects as when the DHA is present.

According to the professor, this is backed up by two

randomised controlled trials at the University of Baylor

and Sheffield, where depressed people who were given DHA

only fared slightly worse than the placebo-controlled group.

Conversion

So what happens if the body becomes deficient of DHA? The

professor goes on to describe that the body can convert EPA

into DHA, as it is only two steps down the chain of

ecosanoids. This is a process the body can do relatively

easily. The body can also convert DHA into EPA, but our

bodies struggle to make this conversion and it is not a

very efficient process.

A good example of this would be with flaxseed oil, that is

high in the omega 3 parent fatty acid ALA (alphalinoic

acid); to obtain roughly 1 gram of EPA, you would have to

ingest 11 grams of flaxseed oil.

Conclusion

The simple truth is that you need both these essential

nutrients. The evidence is increasingly pointing towards

the two being important for various stages of life. DHA

when compared against EPA in treating depression is faring

no better than a placebo; however the DHA is important for

pregnant mothers and children from birth to two years.

Beyond that some leading doctors (Mercola, Stoll, Puri) are

leaning towards EPA being very beneficial for the daily

functioning of the brain

About the Author:

Dave mcevoy is an award winning personal trainer with over

20 years experience; he also runs a high quality health

supplement website. http://www.mind1st.co.uk