SAM_E versus omega-3

[Guest guest]

Omega-3 fatty acids much more effective for depression, per my rather

detailed research, but you must make sure you buy the right brand.

here is some research from Harvard:

Most of the clinical data on omega-3 fatty acids involves fish oil and

its omega-3 components. Fish oil contains the two primary long chain omega-3

fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid,) both

introduced and described in detail in Chapter 2. DHA is generally

incorporated into cell membranes throughout the body, but is found in highest

concentration in the eyes and brain. DHA is crucial for normal brain

development and optimal cognitive and visual functioning. The body holds on

tightly to DHA, and even moderate amounts of DHA in the diet appear adequate

to sustain healthy levels. However, pregnant and nursing women have higher

requirements due to the demands of the fetus and newborn for large quantities

of omega-3s.

Current evidence is pointing toward EPA as the active anti-inflammatory and

mood promoting agent in fish oil. EPA is generally found in twice the

concentration of DHA in commonly available over-the-counter fish oil

supplements. EPA is incorporated to a far less degree into cell membrane

lipids, when compared with DHA. It is likely that EPA performs its role as

it circulates in the bloodstream, ultimately coming into contact with every

cell in the

body. As it circulates, it will compete with its omega-6 counterpart,

arachadonic acid, in numerous biochemical pathways. It is this balance

between omega-3 omega-6 fatty acids which may be crucial to the observed

clinical effects of EPA.

The ideal fish oil supplement would have the qualities listed in Table 1,

including an optimal EPA to DHA ratio. Since we have anecdotal data

suggesting that too much DHA relative to EPA may cause a worsening of mood,

we recommend using a supplement with as high in EPA content as possible.

There are now supplements available with EPA to DHA ratios of 2:1 all the way

up to 7:1.

Determining Fish Oil Dosage

The number of fish oil capsules you require will vary depending upon your

reason for using supplements, as well as the specific concentrations in the

supplement brand you have purchased. Fish oil supplements come in a range of

concentrations, from 12% all the way to 92%. Obviously, the higher the

concentration the fewer the number of capsules will be required.

Table 1: The Ideal Qualities of a Fish Oil Supplement

q High concentration of omega-3 fatty acids per capsule.

q High EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) content.

q High level of purity

q No " repeat " (fishy aftertaste)

q No cholesterol

If you are using the omega-3 fatty acids merely for health , mood, or

cognitive enhancement, 1 gram (1000 mg) of total omega-3 fatty

acids (EPA & DHA) is probably adequate. If you are treating a mood disorder

(depression or bipolar disorder) a much higher dosage of omega-3 is sometimes

required. Our bipolar disorder study, described in Chapter 7, used a total of

9.6 grams omega-3 fatty acids per day (6.2 grams EPA and 3.4 grams DHA).

Clinically, usually 2-5 grams per day is adequate. With the emerging data on

EPA, I have begun to use the EPA content alone to calculate dosage

requirements. Generally 1.5 to 4 grams per day of EPA is adequate to improve

mood. I have no experience using EPA in dosages exceeding 8 grams per day.

How to Select a Fish Oil Supplement

There are literally dozens of brands of fish oil. Most of the companies

marketing fish oil are distributors. In actuality, there are relatively

few fish oil manufacturers. The manufacturers process the fish oil using

various methods and ship the bulk oil to a company which encapsulates the

product, usually in gelatin capsules. Various retailers purchase the

capsules and put their label on the bottles.

Most fish oil supplements found in health food stores and pharmacies contains

only 30 percent omega-3 fatty acid, usually in a nearly 2:1 ratio of EPA to

DHA. This means it would take thirty capsules per day to match what we used

in our bipolar study! This would obviously be almost impossible for most

people to tolerate. Not only is swallowing 30 gelatin capsules daunting, the

more capsules, the higher the likelihood of a fishy repeat.

These 30 percent supplement capsules are not ideal, but until recently were

the only form of fish oil available. People have asked what the remaining

seventy

percent of the oil is composed of. The answer will vary across different

brands, but it is mainly omega-9 fatty acids, such as oleic acid,

cholesterol, and other lipids. Table 2 is a partial listing of different

omega-3 fatty acids brands and their characteristics.

To reduce the number of capsules required, it is well worth the search for

a more highly concentrated product. There are several high quality fish

oil supplements that are 50% omega-3, and at least one that is

70%, and now one containing 92% omega-3 (see Table 2).

For the more than four years I have spent researching omega-3

fatty acids, I have contacted numerous fish oil manufacturers, requesting a

very high concentration product, with a high EPA content and no or minimal

fishy aftertaste. None would take the challenge, mainly citing

cost. Meanwhile, the patients in my clinical practice had to suffer by

taking enormous numbers of capsules each day. Finally Carol A.

Locke M.D., also a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School and McLean

Hospital startled me by deciding to develop a fish oil supplement with all

the desirable characteristics mentioned above.

Dr. Locke has partnered with a company, CX Research, of Austin, Texas, to

develop the product, which is called " OmegaBrite. " OmegaBrite is a fish oil

concentrate containing 92% omega-3 fatty acids. The 7:1 ratio of EPA to DHA

is very high, and it is manufactured and encapsulated under nitrogen to

prevent spoiling of the omega-3 oils. The source of the raw fish oil in

OmegaBrite is anchovies caught off the coast of Chile. Anchovies are very

small fish, high in omega-3 fatty acid content and very " low " on the food

chain.

Using anchovies as a source of fish oil has numerous advantages, including

the fact that anchovies are plentiful, and compared to many larger fish

species anchovies are much less prone to become depleted. Being low on the

food chain and having a short life span also indicates that anchovies have

far less risk of contamination with heavy metals or organic carcinogens, such

as PCBs. Larger fish species, particularly from fresh water sources, are

higher on the food chain and often concentrate these toxic substances in

their fatty tissues.

Table 2: A comparative chart of different omega-3 fatty acid supplement

brands and their characteristics.

In a message dated 7/9/00 8:00:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jeand@...

writes:

>

> > ANy thoughts on the use of SAM-E on Lyme patients. Has anybody tried

> > it for depression?

> > Thanks

>

> I was on it for six months ... did nothing for me. (Except cost me a lot

> of $$$.) But this is just MY experience. Others may have positive results

> with it.

>

> Jean

> (TX)

>

>