Re: Omega-3 Reduces Interleukin that May Cause Fatigue in CFS

[Guest guest]

I was reading on this very subject recently in a book by Barry Sears

called the Omega Rx Zone. A fairly good book. His ideas are

interesting.

At any rate, I just thought I would add that, according to him the

omega 3's in flax oil are not as good as fish oil. They have to be

converted into a more useable form by the body using certain

enzymes. If a person is deficient in this process, as many are due

to age or illness, then taking flax oil may paradoxically lower the

amount of beneficial omega 3's the body has to utilize. I would say

the situation is analagous to vitamin A (which the body can use

easily), and pro-vitamin A [beta-carotene] which the body has to

convert to vitamin A before it can use it as vitamin A.

If you can take either flax or fish oils, I would opt primarily for

fish oils of at least 50% DHA + EPA content. Nutricology is a good

source for this.

If my memory serves me correctly, melatonin assists the convertion of

flax oil to its more useful form. Thus, taking flax at night before

taking melatonin might be a good idea?

Others might be able to add to this. I am just going from memory. I

tried to look it up, but couldn't find it. Sorry.

Best,

Zippy

==============================================================

> Dr. Bell, in his book Faces of CFS, discusses interleukin as

> the possible culprit causing the fatigue in CFS.

>

> In light of this, I found the following interesting. This article

> abstract can be accessed through Medline or at ImmuneSupport.com

> _____________________________

>

> Abstract: Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome by dietary

> supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids

>

>

> 05-23-2002

>

> Journal: Med Hypotheses 2002 Mar;58(3):249-50

> Authors: Tamizi far B, Tamizi B.

> Affiliation: Department of Research, Isfahan University of Medical

> Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

> NLM Citation: PMID: 12018979

>

> Minor alterations of immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic function

> may be associated with the chronic fatigue syndrome.

>

> Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the production of putative mediators

of

> inflammation, including interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor.

>

> Since interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor are the principal

> polypeptide mediators of immunoregulation, reduced production of

> these cytokines by dietary supplementation with omega-3, may be a

> possible mechanism for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

> _____________________________________________

>

> Food sources of omega-3 fatty acids include the following:

>

> flax seed

> pumpkin seed

> fish oil

> salmon

> tuna

> mackerel

> dark green vegetables - kale, chard, collard

> soy

> English walnuts

> navy beans

> kidney beans

> ______________________________________________

>

> Some people have reported dramatic improvement in CFS after

> supplementing with omega-3. If anyone wouldn't mind sharing

> their experiences again, please do so. Thanks.

>

> - E.B.

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I heard that borage oil is a very good balanced source of gla

and is already in the converted form. I need to do more research in

this. I am thinking of trying it.

Mike

[Guest guest]

I've been taking Eskimo 3 Fish oil for the last three years. I can't say

it's done anything to help my CFS symptoms, but it has helped get rid of dry

skin problems. I've thought that I'm probably not taking a large enough dose

of it. I'm currently taking 9 gelcaps a day. (1500 mg of Omega 3 fats) Not

to sound like a salesman or anything, but it doesn't have the fishy after

taste of other fish oils I've tried. NEEDS sells it.

lindaj@...

Omega-3 Reduces Interleukin that May Cause

Fatigue in CFS

> Dr. Bell, in his book Faces of CFS, discusses interleukin as

> the possible culprit causing the fatigue in CFS.

>

> In light of this, I found the following interesting. This article

> abstract can be accessed through Medline or at ImmuneSupport.com

> _____________________________

>

> Abstract: Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome by dietary

> supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids

>

>

> 05-23-2002

>

> Journal: Med Hypotheses 2002 Mar;58(3):249-50

> Authors: Tamizi far B, Tamizi B.

> Affiliation: Department of Research, Isfahan University of Medical

> Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

> NLM Citation: PMID: 12018979

>

> Minor alterations of immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic function

> may be associated with the chronic fatigue syndrome.

>

> Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the production of putative mediators of

> inflammation, including interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor.

>

> Since interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor are the principal

> polypeptide mediators of immunoregulation, reduced production of

> these cytokines by dietary supplementation with omega-3, may be a

> possible mechanism for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

> _____________________________________________

>

> Food sources of omega-3 fatty acids include the following:

>

> flax seed

> pumpkin seed

> fish oil

> salmon

> tuna

> mackerel

> dark green vegetables - kale, chard, collard

> soy

> English walnuts

> navy beans

> kidney beans

> ______________________________________________

>

> Some people have reported dramatic improvement in CFS after

> supplementing with omega-3. If anyone wouldn't mind sharing

> their experiences again, please do so. Thanks.

>

> - E.B.

>

>

>

>

> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each

other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment

discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and All,

I have been taking the Dale line of fish

oils

from Twin Labs. They have a fish oil mixture that is slightly minty

flavored and is not fishy to the taste. I don't know if it has helped.

I take it on a " Theoretically it's good to take " basis. I am also

thinking of trying borage oil, which is supposed to be very good.

Mike

P.S. I have no investment in Twin Labs. I feel it is a reputable company

among others. Their customer service has always been friendly and

informative.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I've read this same thing on Mercola's site. Problem is: is fish oil

okay given the widespread mercury contamination of fish???

Thanks.

Judith Wisdom

Maybe I'll call ARG/Nutricology. I bought Vit A from labs. It's

from " fish oil. " I wasn't able to reach them about it.

On Fri, 19 Jul 2002 13:27:45 -0000 " bhp355 " <zippy890@...> writes:

> I was reading on this very subject recently in a book by Barry Sears

> called the Omega Rx Zone. A fairly good book. His ideas are

> interesting.

>

> At any rate, I just thought I would add that, according to him the

> omega 3's in flax oil are not as good as fish oil. They have to be

> converted into a more useable form by the body using certain

> enzymes. If a person is deficient in this process, as many are due

> to age or illness, then taking flax oil may paradoxically lower the

> amount of beneficial omega 3's the body has to utilize. I would say

>

> the situation is analagous to vitamin A (which the body can use

> easily), and pro-vitamin A [beta-carotene] which the body has to

> convert to vitamin A before it can use it as vitamin A.

>

> If you can take either flax or fish oils, I would opt primarily for

> fish oils of at least 50% DHA + EPA content. Nutricology is a good

> source for this.

>

> If my memory serves me correctly, melatonin assists the convertion

> of

> flax oil to its more useful form. Thus, taking flax at night before

>

> taking melatonin might be a good idea?

>

> Others might be able to add to this. I am just going from memory.

> I

> tried to look it up, but couldn't find it. Sorry.

>

> Best,

> Zippy

>

>

> ==============================================================

>

>

>

>

> > Dr. Bell, in his book Faces of CFS, discusses interleukin as

>

> > the possible culprit causing the fatigue in CFS.

> >

> > In light of this, I found the following interesting. This article

>

> > abstract can be accessed through Medline or at ImmuneSupport.com

> > _____________________________

> >

> > Abstract: Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome by dietary

> > supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids

> >

> >

> > 05-23-2002

> >

> > Journal: Med Hypotheses 2002 Mar;58(3):249-50

> > Authors: Tamizi far B, Tamizi B.

> > Affiliation: Department of Research, Isfahan University of Medical

>

> > Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

> > NLM Citation: PMID: 12018979

> >

> > Minor alterations of immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic

> function

> > may be associated with the chronic fatigue syndrome.

> >

> > Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the production of putative mediators

> of

> > inflammation, including interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor.

> >

> > Since interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor are the principal

> > polypeptide mediators of immunoregulation, reduced production of

> > these cytokines by dietary supplementation with omega-3, may be a

> > possible mechanism for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

> > _____________________________________________

> >

> > Food sources of omega-3 fatty acids include the following:

> >

> > flax seed

> > pumpkin seed

> > fish oil

> > salmon

> > tuna

> > mackerel

> > dark green vegetables - kale, chard, collard

> > soy

> > English walnuts

> > navy beans

> > kidney beans

> > ______________________________________________

> >

> > Some people have reported dramatic improvement in CFS after

> > supplementing with omega-3. If anyone wouldn't mind sharing

> > their experiences again, please do so. Thanks.

> >

> > - E.B.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Judith and All,

Judith, Twin Labs makes a " Dale " series of

fish oils.

They seem to have a friendly informative customer service. You might call

them to find out about the issue of toxic metals / chemicals / substances in

their product(s). I'm pretty sure that companies have to screen for them.

Mike

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/20/02 9:29:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

writes:

> I've read this same thing on Mercola's site. Problem is: is fish oil

> okay given the widespread mercury contamination of fish???

>

> Thanks.

>

> Judith Wisdom

>

Judith, you can be assured there is no heavy metals in your fish oil if you

see on the label " Cholesterol Free " . Read one of Barry Sears' books (author

of the " Zone " series of popular diet books) to find out why but that is how

it is.