Omega 3 Fish Oil

[Nutritional Advisers Product Information]

Rationale

Wassen Omega-3 Fish Oil has been formulated to provide pure fish oil with the addition of vitamin E. The product is presented in a small capsule for ease of swallowing.

The significance of the Omega-3 essential fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Fish oils provide the fatty acids EPA and DHA. Both these substances are derived from alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which can be found in certain plant foods such as linseeds, hempseeds and walnuts. Many of the algae eaten by fish are also a rich source of alpha linolenic acid as well as longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. Due to the natural food chain the fatty acids are concentrated in larger fish, making EPA and DHA easily available from oily fish.

Essential fatty acids protect our internal organs and also make up the protective membrane that envelops each cell in the body. EPA and DHA form a part of all human tissue but are found in higher concentration in active human tissue such as the adrenal and sex glands.

DHA is found in high concentration in the nervous system, retina and brain cells. It is the main polyunsaturate in the thinking part of the brain and may possibly have a role to play in dyslexia and hyperactivity. EPA is thought to help lower blood fats as well as blood clots and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. These properties could explain the popularity of fish oils by those who wish to maintain their cardiovascular health and joint mobility.

EPA is used by the body to make certain prostaglandins and it also regulates leukotriene synthesis, which may help to account for some of the anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oil. Prostaglandins are short-lived hormone-like chemicals, which regulate cellular activity within the body. Leukotrienes are made from arachidonic acid (AA), which is found primarily in red meat, eggs, other animal protein and can also be manufactured from Omega-6 fatty acids.

While leukotrienes are needed to protect the body against disease and infection, too many can cause inflammation. The synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes from EPA and AA depends on the same enzymes for which all these substances compete. Sufficient levels of EPA can therefore prevent excessive production of leukotrienes from AA. (1)

A lot of people these days are taking vegetable oils containing ALA (e.g. flax seed oil) in the mistaken belief that this is as good for them as fish oil. However, ALA has to undergo a series of elongations and desaturations to reach EPA and DHA. This process is believed not to be efficient even in fit, well-nourished people. This would indicate that it may be better to eat pre-formed EPA and DHA.

Benefical effects of fish oil

Fish oil has been associated positively with the conditions and physiological functions listed below: (2)

• Arrhythmias
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Cognitive Function

Vitamin E

Vitamin E acts primarily as an antioxidant in the body. This vitamin plays an important part in the protection of lipids in the body. It is added to the fish oil in order to protect it from oxidation. (3,4)

References:

(1) Artemis P. Simopoulos, Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growth and development, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1991; 54: 438-63 p 444

(2) Monograph, Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 5, No. 6, Dec. 2000

(3) M. C. Linder (Editor), Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism with Clinical Applications, Prentice-Hall International Inc. 1991

(4) Barry Halliwell, Human Health and Disease A Radical Look, Biological Sciences Review, March 1995