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Information Fish Oil

Mega EPA Capsules are a convenient way to take EPA and DHA in a

concentrated form. EPA and DHA can be helpful against arthritis,

reduce abnormal blood clotting inside blood vessels, reduce

triglyceride levels, and reduce many forms of chronic inflammation.

The fatty free acid form of omega-3 rich fish oils in this product

represents a technological breakthrough in marine lipid research

providing for maximum efficient absorption of EPA and DHA.

Each capsule should contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) 400 mg, DHA

(docosahexaenoic acid) 300 mg, vitamin E (natural, Mixed tocopherols)

2 IU, Vitamin-c 2 mg.

There is a good range, for Fish Oil Omega 3, it is 360 mg EPA acid

per capsule, & 240 DHA acid & 2 IU Vitamine E.

Dosage 8 capsules per day.

Mega EPA

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is the precursor of the series 3

prostaglandins, potent anti-inflammatory and anticlotting agents.

They can: Reduce arthritic inflammation and pain

Elevate HDL levels

Reduce abnormal platelet aggregation

Lower triglyceride levels

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a highly unsaturated fatty acid found

in particular abundance in the membranes of mitochondria and neurons

where it may assist their function by increasing their fluidity.

http://ezines.lef.org?p=151069896 or

http://www.lef.org/prod_hp/php157.html

Protocols:

· Allergies

· Arrhythmia (Cardiac)

· Avoiding Vitamin A Toxicity

· Arthritis

· Atherosclerosis

· Autoimmune Diseases

· Breast Cancer

· Cancer Treatment

· Catabolic Wasting

· Cerebral Vascular Disease

· Colitis

· Congestive Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy

· Fibrinogen and Cardiovascular Disease

· Hypertension

· Leukemia-Lymphoma (And Hodgkin's Disease)

· Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

· Muscular Dystrophy

· Myasthenia Gravis

· Neuropathy

· Pancreatic Cancer

· Thrombosis Prevention

· Vitamin-A Toxicity

· Weight Loss

Fish Oils: The Essential Nutrients

With complete references for researchers

by Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE

There are good fats and there are bad fats. Artificially produced

trans-fatty acids are bad in any amount and saturated fats from

animal products should be kept to a minimum. The best fats or oils

rather, since they are liquid at room temperature, are those that

contain the essential fatty acids so named because without them we

die. Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated and grouped into two

families, the omega-6 EFAs and the omega-3 EFAs. Seemingly minor

differences in their molecular structure make the two EFA families

act very differently in the body. While the metabolic products of

omega-6 acids promote inflammation, blood clotting, and tumor growth,

the omega-3 acids act entirely opposite. Although we do need both

omega-3s and omega-6s it is becoming increasingly clear that an

excess of omega-6 fatty acids can have dire consequences. Many

scientists believe that a major reason for the high incidence of

heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and

some forms of cancer is the profound imbalance between our intake of

omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Our ancestors evolved on a diet with

a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 of about 1:1. A massive change in

dietary habits over the last few centuries has changed this ratio to

something closer to 20:1 and this spells trouble. [1-3] Sources and

requirementsThe main sources of omega-6 fatty acids are vegetable

oils such as corn oil and soy oil that contain a high proportion of

linoleic acid. Omega-3 acids are found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil,

and marine plankton and fatty fish. The main component of flaxseed

and walnut oils is alpha-linolenic acid while the predominant fatty

acids found in fatty fish and fish oils are eicosapentaenoic acid

(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The most beneficial and active

of these fatty acids are EPA and DHA. Alpha-linolenic acid can be

converted to EPA and DHA in the body, but the conversion is quite

inefficient especially in older people. [1, 2] Scientists were first

alerted to the many benefits of EPA and DHA in the early 1970s when

Danish physicians observed that Greenland Eskimos had an

exceptionally low incidence of heart disease and arthritis despite

the fact that they consumed a high-fat diet. Intensive research soon

discovered that two of the fats (oils) they consumed in large

quantities, EPA and DHA, were actually highly beneficial. More recent

research has established that fish oils (EPA and DHA) play a crucial

role in the prevention of atherosclerosis, heart attack, depression,

and cancer. Clinical trials have shown that fish oil supplementation

is effective in the treatment of many disorders including rheumatoid

arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and Raynaud's disease. [1-5]

Recognizing the unique benefits of EPA and DHA and the serious

consequences of a deficiency the US National Institutes of Health

recently published Recommended Daily Intakes of fatty acids. They

recommend a total daily intake of 650 mg of EPA and DHA, 2.22 g/day

of alpha-linolenic acid and 4.44 g/day of linoleic acid. Saturated

fat intake should not exceed 8 per cent of total calorie intake or

about 18 g/day. Good for the brain and children tooThe human brain is

one of the largest " consumers " of DHA. A normal adult human brain

contains more than 20 grams of DHA. Low DHA levels have been linked

to low brain serotonin levels which again are connected to an

increased tendency to depression, suicide, and violence. A high

intake of fish has been linked to a significant decrease in age-

related memory loss and cognitive function impairment and a lower

risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A recent study found that

Alzheimer's patients given an omega-3-rich supplement experienced a

significant improvement in their quality of life.[6-9] Several

studies have established a clear association between low levels of

omega-3 fatty acids and depression. Other studies have shown that

countries with a high level of fish consumption have fewer cases of

depression. Researchers at Harvard Medical School have successfully

used fish oil supplementation to treat bipolar disorder (manic-

depressive illness) and British researchers report encouraging

results in the treatment of schizophrenia. [10-15] An adequate intake

of DHA and EPA is particularly important during pregnancy and

lactation. During this time the mother must supply all the baby's

needs for DHA and EPA because it is unable to synthesize these

essential fatty acids itself. DHA makes up 15 to 20% of the cerebral

cortex and 30 to 60% of the retina so it is absolutely necessary for

normal development of the fetus and baby. There is some evidence that

an insufficient intake of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk

of premature birth and an abnormally low birth weight. There is also

emerging evidence that low levels of omega-3 acids are associated

with hyperactivity in children. [1, 3, 16- 22] The constant drain on

a mother's DHA reserves can easily lead to a deficiency and some

researchers believe that preeclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood

pressure) and postpartum depression could be linked to a DHA

deficiency. Experts recommend that women get at least 500-600 mg of

DHA every day during pregnancy and lactation. The easiest way to

ensure this intake is to take a good fish oil supplement daily. [17-

19] Researchers at the University of Sydney have found that children

who regularly eat fresh, oily fish have a four times lower risk of

developing asthma than do children who rarely eat such fish. They

speculate that EPA present in the fish may prevent the development of

asthma or reduce its severity by reducing airway inflammation and

responsiveness. Researchers at the University of Wyoming have found

that supplementation with 3.3 grams/day of fish oil markedly reduces

breathing difficulties and other symptoms in asthma patients. Other

research has found fish oil to be beneficial in the treatment of

other lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and emphysema. [23- 29]

The heart's best friendAn enormous amount of medical literature

testifies to the fact that fish oils prevent and may help to

ameliorate or reverse atherosclerosis, angina, heart attack,

congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and peripheral

vascular disease. Fish oils help maintain the elasticity of artery

walls, prevent blood clotting, reduce blood pressure and stabilize

heart rhythm. [1-4, 30-33] Danish researchers have concluded that

fish oil supplementation may help prevent arrhythmias and sudden

cardiac death in healthy men. An Italian study of 11,000 heart attack

survivors found that patients supplementing with fish oils markedly

reduced their risk of another heart attack, a stroke or death. A

group of German researchers found that fish oil supplementation for 2

years caused regression of atherosclerotic deposits and American

medical researchers report that men who consume fish once or more

every week have a 50% lower risk of dying from a sudden cardiac event

than do men who eat fish less than once a month. [34-40] Greek

researchers report that fish oil supplementation (10 grams/day)

reduces the number of attacks by 41% in men suffering from angina.

Norwegian medical doctors have found that fish oil supplementation

reduces the severity of a heart attack and Indian researchers report

that supplementation started immediately after a heart attack reduces

future complications. Bypass surgery and angioplasty patients

reportedly also benefit from fish oils and clinical trials have shown

that fish oils are safe for heart disease patients. The evidence is

indeed overwhelming. An adequate daily intake (about 1 gram) of EPA

and DHA is essential to maintain a healthy heart. Fish oils are

especially important for diabetics who have an increased risk of

heart disease. [41- 49] Researchers at the University of Cincinnati

have found that supplementing with as little as 2 grams/day of fish

oil (410 mg of EPA plus 285 mg of DHA) can lower diastolic pressure

by 4.4 mm Hg and systolic pressure by 6.5 mm Hg in people with

elevated blood pressure. Enough to avoid taking drugs in cases of

borderline hypertension. Several other clinical trials have confirmed

that fish oils are indeed effective in lowering high blood pressure

and that they may work even better if combined with a program of salt

restriction. [50-55] Reduces pain and helps prevent cancerFish oils

are particularly effective in reducing inflammation and can be of

great benefit to people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or

ulcerative colitis. Daily supplementation with as little as 2.7 grams

of EPA and 1.8 grams of DHA can markedly reduce the number of tender

joints and increase the time before fatigue sets in. Some studies

have also noted a decrease in morning stiffness and at least two

clinical trials concluded that arthritis patients who took fish oils

could eliminate or sharply reduce their use of NSAIDs and other

arthritis drugs. [56-61] Patients with ulcerative colitis have

abnormally low blood levels of EPA. Clinical trials have shown that

supplementation with fish oil (2.7 grams of EPA and 1.8 grams of DHA

daily) can reduce the severity of the condition by more than 50% and

enable many patients to discontinue anti-inflammatory medication and

steroids. [62-64] There is now also considerable evidence that fish

oil consumption can delay or reduce tumor development in breast

cancer. Studies have also shown that a high blood level of omega-3

fatty acids combined with a low level of omega-6 acids reduces the

risk of developing breast cancer. Daily supplementation with as

little as 2.5 grams of fish oils has been found effective in

preventing the progression from benign polyps to colon cancer and

Korean researchers recently reported that prostate cancer patients

have low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Greek researchers

report that fish oil supplementation improves survival and quality of

life in terminally ill cancer patients. [65-73] Safe and easily

availableIt is estimated that 85% or more of people in the Western

world are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and most get far too much

of the omega-6 fatty acids. Vegetarian diets, for example, tend to be

very high in omega-6. The recommended daily intake of EPA plus DHA is

about 650 mg rising to 1000 mg/day during pregnancy and lactation.

Clinical trials have used anywhere from 1 g/day to 10 g/day, but

little additional benefit has been observed at levels above 5 g/day

of EPA and DHA combined. The benefits of therapeutic supplementation

may become evident in a few weeks when blood parameters

(triglycerides, fibrinogen) are involved, but may take 3 months or

longer to materialize in degenerative diseases like atherosclerosis

and rheumatoid arthritis. [74, 75] The processing and packaging of

the fish oil are crucial in determining its quality. Low quality oils

may be quite unstable and contain significant amounts of mercury,

pesticides, and undesirable oxidation products. High quality oils are

stabilized with adequate amounts of vitamin E and are packaged in

individual foil pouches or other packaging impervious to light and

oxygen. Some very recent research carried out at the University of

Minnesota found that emulsified fish oils are much better absorbed

than the straight oils in gelatin capsules. [76] Cod liver oils and

fish oils are not the same. Cod liver oil is extracted from cod liver

and is an excellent source of vitamins A and D. Fish oils are

extracted from the tissues (flesh) of fatty fish like salmon and

herring and are good sources of EPA and DHA. Fish oils contain very

little vitamin A and D, but cod liver oil does contain EPA and DHA.

However, you would probably exceed the recommended daily intake of

vitamins A and D if you were to try to obtain therapeutic amounts of

EPA and DHA from cod liver oil. Supplementing with fish oils has been

found to be entirely safe even for periods as long as 7 years and no

significant adverse effects have been reported in hundreds of

clinical trials using as much as 18 grams/day of fish oils. Fish oil

supplementation does, however, lower blood concentrations of vitamin

E so it is a good idea to take extra vitamin E when adding fish oils

to your diet. A clinical trial carried out by the US Department of

Agriculture found that taking 200 mg/day of synthetic vitamin E

(equivalent to about 100 IU of natural alpha-tocopherol) is

sufficient to completely counteract this effect of fish oil

supplementation. [74, 75, 77, 78] *****