1. This product is used in place of flaxseed oil in
order to by-pass metabolic dependency
on the biotransformations of flaxseed alpha-linolenic acid into EPA and
DHA.
2. This product is used when a concentrated fish oil source of EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid)
and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is desired. Most fish oil products contain
180 mg of
EPA or less, and 120 mg of DHA or less per softgel.
3. This product is also used when ultra-purification of the oil is
desired. Most fish
oil products have not received the same degree of purification given this
product.
Purification relates to colour and degree of after-taste from
burping.
* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
The principal reason people supplement with fish oil is to increase the intake of ready made omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (eicosahexaenoic acid), by-passing their natural endogenous production from alpha-linolenic acid. EPA and DHA are the most physiologically important members of the omega-3 family of fatty acids.
Deriving the optimal amount of EPA and DHA from dietary alpha-linolenic acid could become circumstantially challenged, leaving the possibility that the available EPA and DHA may not be adequate to optimally meet the physiological needs of the body. This certainly becomes a concern in an older person for failing age-related metabolic reasons. As well though, in any person the happenstance dietary ratio of the two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, is a major life-style factor mediating the formation rates of EPA and DHA from alpha-linolenic acid. Consuming too much omega-6 linoleic acid relative to omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid causes a diminished formation of EPA and DHA. A short-fall in EPA and DHA can occur because the same biotransformation enzymes (not shown) serve both omega families, thus an exaggerated presence of omega-6 substrate blunts by way of competitive inhibition the omega-3 biotransformations.
What is the optimal ratio of the essential fatty acids? The optimal dietary ratio between the essential fatty acids is thought to be 4:2 to 4:1, in favor of omega-6.(8,10) Omega-6 linoleic acid is supplied in all of the common polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils consumed in North America, while omega-3 linolenic acid is supplied only in soy, canola, and flaxseed oils, as well as in walnuts. Unfortunately, the dietary ratio of the two essential fatty acids for most North Americans is closer to 14 to 20 parts of omega-6 linoleic acid, to 1 part of omega-3 linolenic acid.(8,9) This unhealthy ratio range is due in part to high temperature destruction of alpha-linolenic acid when soy oil and canola oil are refined.
Flaxseed oil products do not receive commercial refinement, so remain an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid. A second reason for a dietary ratio imbalance is that most polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils consumed in North America do not contain omega-3 linolenic acid as a constituent.(8)
How does a dietary ratio imbalance cause health problems? The dietary pattern of 14-20 parts of omega-6 linoleic acid to 1 part of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid is recognized to be a major contributing factor in the leading health problems that plague North America.(8,9) Dietary fatty acids are incorporated into cell membrane phospholipids as structural elements. The ratio of the dietary essential fatty acids is structurally reflected in cell membranes as a distribution of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid derivatives. The flow chart illustrates how three Series of eicosanoids are ultimately derived through the actions of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. Eicosanoids are regulatory molecules derived from their respective cascade precursor fatty acids, Series 1 from dihomogamma-linolenic acid, Series 2 from arachidonic acid, and Series 3 from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Eicosanoids exert a profound regulatory control over physiology and any dietary imbalance in the optimal ratio of the essential fatty acids eventually translates into eicosanoid imbalance that causes or exacerbates pathophysiological processes.
When omega-6 linoleic acid is consistently consumed in excess relative to omega-3 linolenic acid, then so called "bad" Series 2 prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes are over expressed, leading to health problems. Prime examples of Series 2 eicosanoid over expression are pro-thrombosis states and pro-inflammatory states. Leading causes of death and life-altering disabilities in North America relate to coronary thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence implicates generalized inflammation as a major player in a number of health problems including risk for heart attack and Alzheimer Disease.(11,12)
How does consuming fish oil make a difference? As we grow older, the biotransformation enzymes show age-related failure and it seems prudent to turn to ready made EPA in fish oil. Supplemented EPA is able over time to adjust an omega-6 to omega-3 imbalance in membrane fatty acids eicosanoid precursors.(8,9) Membrane phospholipid EPA competes with omega-6 arachidonic acid for access to cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase.
By overtly increasing dietary amounts of EPA through fish oil supplementation, a competitive inhibition increases the probability that the Series 3 eicosanoids derived from EPA will dominate the Series 2 eicosanoids, thus lowering the risk for inappropriate thrombus and inflammatory mayhem, or any other form of excessive expression of the Series 2 eicosanoids with the associated "bad" outcomes.
Where does DHA fit in? DHA is very important to the brain, testes, retina and adrenal glands for facilitating optimal functioning. Inadequate DHA in the brain is thought to be an important contributing factor in many neurological functional problems. Intriguing brain research has drawn a possible connection between DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) and some of the more difficult childhood learning and behavioral problems seen in the early pre-school or elementary school years, and even in early adolescence. These problems include dyslexia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They are associated with learning, psychological, and social disruptions in the normal life quality and development of a child or young person, with possible life long repercussions. Parents and teachers are challenged to provide effective learning and to shape appropriate behavior. This brain research is pointing to new nutritional ways to address these difficult learning and behavioral problems with neurologically active DHA and omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA).
Researchers have found that the fatty acids DHA and AA are highly concentrated in the synaptic membranes, the juncture where neurons exchange and process information, where learning and behavior are forged.(13)
Researcher Laura J. Stevens, PhD, and her fellow scientists at Purdue University have shown that DHA levels in the blood of 53 boys suffering from ADHD was significantly lower than DHA levels found in 43 matched boys without ADHD. This has been interpreted to mean that ADHD sufferers may not make DHA well enough to facilitate the optimal construction of the synaptic membranes, thereby impairing the brain's management of childhood control over responses to environmental stimuli, leading to hyperactivity, inattentive, and impulsive behavior. The researchers concluded that supplementing with DHA and arachidonic acid may be useful in treating or managing ADHD.
British researcher Jacqueline Stordy, PhD, found that supplying DHA to young adults with dyslexia improved learning disabilities.(14) Parents can use brain-active DHA and AA that come from food sources to address learning and behavioral problems, hopefully providing a beneficial impact on brain function over time.
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Directions
Use 1 softgel 1-3 times per day with meals. When using more than one softgel per day, it is acceptable to consume all softgels at one time. (3 softgels are less than a teaspoon of oil, and no more than would be consumed in a typical serving of fish)
Cautions
ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS
Ocean fish and fish oils have been consumed in significant quantities worldwide for centuries without being associated adverse effects. Ultra-purified fish oil is generally better tolerated than less prepared fish oil products. In more sensitive individuals, this product may have reports of mild GI discomfort, fishy after-taste upon burping, belching, nausea, flatulence, or loose stools.(1)
Published fish oil intervention studies with healthy subjects do not indicate a greater propensity for inappropriate bleeding, even after daily intakes greater than 6 grams.(1) (EPA is the most active agent regarding anti-coagulation observations with fish oils.)
INTERACTIONS
The affect of fish oil on anticoagulant therapy has been uncertain. Positive interactions between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and oral anticoagulants have been noted, without clinically relevant bleeding problems.(1,5)
However, fish oil (EPA) can increase the prothrombin time (PT) in certain people on warfarin. One case was reported in 2004 in which the PT went from 2.8 to 4.3 within one month after the patient increased their fish oil intake from 1 gram per day to 2 grams.(6)
This reported affect of ocean fish oil on the prothrombin time in conjunction with warfarin is not consistent with other observations. Bender et al found that fish oil supplementation in doses of 3-6 grams per day does not seem to create a statistically significant affect on the anticoagulation status of patients receiving chronic warfarin.(7)
Making changes in the pattern of supplemental fish oil intake after the establishment of an anticoagulant dosage may be a risk factor for loss of coagulation control. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in high a dose range may present an additive effect if other natural products known to be blood thinners. Other common mild natural blood thinners include garlic, MSM, grape seed extract, cayenne, Ginkgo biloba, and perhaps vitamin E > 400 IUs.
Those taking fish oils should also be supplementing with natural vitamin E at 200 IUs to 400 IUs to protect against fatty acid peroxidation.
PRECAUTION/CAUTIONS
Ocean fish oils may predispose a person to post-surgical bleeding problems.
However, Vanschoonbeek et al note that various papers explicitly mention the absence of easy bruising or clinical signs of postoperative bleeding after fish oil intake by patients with cardiovascular disease.(1-4) Nevertheless, until a formal statement by a surgical expert body approves fish oil use up to hospital admission, it seems prudent to recommend that fish oil supplements be discontinued at least one week before surgery, and resumed upon the recommendations of the patient's physician.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Initiating fish oil supplements after being stabilized on anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated unless supervised by a physician. Supplementation of fish oil is contraindicated for at least one week before surgery. Supplementation of fish oil is contraindicated in those who have hemophilia.
Additional Information
References
1. Vanschoonbeek, Kristof, et al, Fish oil consumption and reduction of arterial disease, J Nutr, Mar, 133(3):657-660, 2003 2. Wojenski, C.M., et al, Eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester as an antithrombotic agent: comparison to an extract of fish oil, Biochem Biophy Acta, 1081:33-38, 1991 3. Roulet, M., et al, Effects of intravenously infused fish oil on platelet fatty acid phospholipids composition and on platelet function in postoperative trauma, J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 21:296-301, 1997 4. De Caterina, R., et al, Vascular prostacyclin is increased in patients ingesting omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids before coronary artery bypass graft surgery, Circulation, 82:428-438, 1990 5. Eritsland, J., et al, Long-term effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on haemostatic variables and bleeding episodes in patients with coronary artery disease, Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis, 6:17-22, 1995 6. Buckley, M.S., et al, Fish oil interaction with warfarin, Ann Pharmacother, Jan, 38(1):50-52, 2004 7. Bender, N.K., et al, Effects of Marine fish oil on the anticoagulation status of patients receiving chronic warfarin therapy, J Thromb Thrombolysis, Jul, 5(3):257-261, 1998 8. Simopoulos, Artemis P., Robinson, Jo, The Omega Plan, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1998 9. Murray, Michael T., Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplementation, Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1996 10. Jones, Peter J.H., Stanley Kubow, Lipids, sterols, and Their Metabolites, in Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, Maurice E. Shils et al, editors, Ninth edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, New York, 1999 11. Tomiyama, H., et al, Elevated C-reactive protein: a common marker for atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk and subclinical stages of pulmonary dysfunction and osteopenia in a healthy population, Atherosclerosis, Jan, 178(1):187-92, 2005 12. Nilsson, L., et al, The essential role of inflammation and induced gene expression in the pathogenic pathway of Alzheimer's disease, Front Biosci, Apr 16, 3:d436-446, 1998 13. Stevens, Laura J., et al, Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 62 (2): 761-768, 1995 14. Stordy, Jacqueline B., Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and learning disorders, Holistic Health Journal, October, 1997
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
