Omega-3 Emotions™ supports improved mood and
emotional well-being.
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* 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
Research has revealed that the omega-3 component EPA has a powerful mood-elevating and mood-stabilizing quality (Peet, 2002). Researchers have shown in clinical trials confirming the positive effects of EPA on mood (Wozniak, 2007).
Omega-3 Emotions™ is specially formulated with a high EPA content to promote mood-elevation and emotional wellbeing. Epidemiologic data support that nations with the highest seafood intakes (and highest omega-3 fatty acid intakes) have the lowest levels of major depression, bipolar disorder, and homicide. There is good evidence that depression is in part caused by too little omega-3 DHA. Researchers from the National Institute of Health observed that cultures where ocean fish is a staple item have lower rates of depression (Hibbeln, 1997, Simopoulous, 1998).
Examples are Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Japanese consume about 15 times more omega-3 than do Americans, and have only one tenth as much depression. Conversely, rates of depression were lowest in countries that had the greater intakes of fish (Hibbeln, 1998, Noaghiul, 2003). Further evidence examining the levels of EPA and DHA in cell membranes of psychiatric patients compared to controls suggested that individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis had significantly lower levels of EPA and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) in phospholipid membranes (Chen, 2004, Maes, 1999, Maes, 1998).
Researchers have also sought to provide a mechanism of action regarding the manner in which omega-3 oils may impart benefit in settings of psychiatric illness. Omega-3 oils are known to profoundly impact metabolism of inflammatory cytokines. Arachidonic acid (AA), a very long chain polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid is the typical substrate of enzymes which produce inflammatory cytokines. EPA and DHA compete with AA for active sites on these enzymes, and human trials that supplemented EPA and DHA have shown that these fatty acids reduce levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. Observational studies comparing levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with a psychiatric diagnosis versus controls showed that patients with a psychiatric diagnosis had elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in their blood relative to the control group (Dantzer, 1999, Lutgendorf, 1999, Maes, 1999).
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Research
Research shows that taking 1 gram of EPA twice daily with standard therapy seems to improve symptoms of recurrent major depression, such as depressed mood, guilt feelings, worthlessness, and insomnia after two weeks of treatment (Nemets, 2002). To date, there has been 22 controlled human studies which examined the role of supplemental omega-3 oils in the treatment of depression or bipolar disorder. Of the 22 studies, 17 used an omega-3 oil which provided more EPA than DHA.
The majority of the studies using an oil providing more EPA than DHA have shown that the intervention significantly improves symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder (Fontani, 2005, Frangou, 2006, Freeman, 2006, Hallahan, 2007, Jazayeri, 2008, Nemets, 2002, Nemets, 2006, Osher, 2005, Peet, 2002, Sagduyu, 2005, Stoll, 1999, Su, 2003, Wozniak, 2007, Zanarini, 2003). These oils providing more EPA than DHA have demonstrated mood stabilizing as opposed to strictly antidepressant activity. Most studies above confirm antidepressant activity, while two studies demonstrated stabilization of mania in individuals suffering from manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder (Sagduyu, 2005, Wozniak, 2007).
In 2 of the 22 studies, the effect of fish oils was examined in children (Nemets, 2006, Wozniak, 2007). The first study used 600 mg of combined EPA and DHA per day to treat childhood major depression (400 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA per day) (Nemets, 2006). In this study, 70% of children achieved a 50% or greater reduction in their Childhood Depression Rating Scale (CDRS) score following the 16 week intervention. Also, 40% of children achieved recognized standards of disease remission. The second trial in childhood depressive disorders examined omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in childhood bipolar disorder (Wozniak, 2007). In this trial, omega-3 fatty acids were used as a monotherapy with the mean dose of omega-3 oil was 2600 mg per day, providing a 7:1 ratio of EPA: DHA. 50% of children achieved a 30% or greater reduction in the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), while 35% of children achieved a 50% or greater reduction in the YMRS.
A recent meta-analysis examined antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids. Inclusion criteria of the meta analysis resulted in 10 of the 22 trials discussed above included in the meta-analytic review (Lin, 2007). Researchers stated:
"When pooling the results of 10 included studies, we found a significant antidepressant effect of omega-3 fatty acids. Likewise, omega-3 fatty acids improved depression in patients with clearly defined depression or with bipolar disorder".
Lastly, a recent trial published in the area of omega-3 fatty acids and depressive disorders compared omega-3 fatty acids to a prescription SSRI medication (Jazayeri, 2008). 60 patients were followed for eight weeks taking either 1000 mg ethyl- EPA or 20 mg Fluoxetine. 50% of patients receiving Fluoxetine, 56% of patients receiving ethyl- EPA, and 81% of patients receiving both medications combined achieved the endpoint of a 50% or greater reduction in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).
Childhood ADD/ADHD Research
There have been 8 controlled human studies examining omega-3 fatty acids in childhood ADD/ ADHD. Four of the studies used oils containing more EPA than DHA (Johnson, 2007, Richardson, 2005, Sinn, 2007, Sorgi, 2007) and 4 of the studies used oils containing more DHA than EPA (Hirayama, 2004, Richardson, 2002, Stevens, 2003, Voigt, 2001).
All 4 studies that used oils containing more EPA than DHA produced highly significant beneficial results. The largest study examined over 100 children with a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD with a six month follow-up period (Sinn, 2007). The study administered an oil which contained a 3:1 ratio of EPA: DHA, providing 554 mg EPA and 174 mg DHA per day.
After 3 months, 30-40% of children taking omega-3 fatty acid supplementation no longer met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. After 6 months, 40- 0% of children taking omega-3 fatty acid supplementation no longer met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. These results highlight that beneficial effects increase as the duration of treatment increases. The Oxford-Durham study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil (80%) and evening primrose oil (20%) on children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD, which overlaps with ADHD, dyslexia, and autistic spectrum disorders) (Richardson, 2005). This study involved 117 children, ages 5-12 with DCD. Over the three month treatment period children were given a daily dose of 558 mg EPA, 174 mg DHA, 60 mg GLA, and 9.6 mg alpha tocopherol (vitamin E). They observed significant improvements in reading, spelling, and behaviour, suggesting that fatty acid supplementation may be safe, tolerable, and efficacious in improving academic progress and behaviour among DCD children. After 6 months of supplementation with a high EPA omega-3 oil (554 mg EPA and 174 mg DHA per day) 45% of children no longer met diagnostic criteria for ADD/ADHD.
Anxiety and Other Psychiatric Disorders Research
Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has produced clinical efficacy in controlled human trials in a variety of other areas of psychiatry. Some disorders demonstrating the benefit of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids include: anxiety (Buydens, 2005, Buydens-Branchy, 2006), epilepsy (Schlanger, 2002, Yuen, 2005), anorexia nervosa (Ayton, 2004), antisocial behaviour in a prison setting (Gesch, 2002), individuals with repeated episodes of self-harm (Hallahan, 2007), borderline personality disorder (Zanarini, 2003), and autism (Amminger, 2006).
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Directions
Use 3 softgels daily 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. (Vanschoonbeek, 2003)
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. (Vanschoonbeek, 2003) (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. (Vanschoonbeek, 2003, Eritsland, 1995)
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. (Buckley, 2004)
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. (Bender,1998)
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. (Vanschoonbeek, 2003, Wojenski, 1991, Roulet, 1997, De Caterina, 1990) 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
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I find the price and quality of the products I purchase from ZooScape / GreenCanyon to be unbeatable. I can't find similar products for near the same price locally.
--
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(Profession: insurance agent)
Flaxseed Oil
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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."
