What's the deal with Omega 3’s?
Omega 3 fats are found in large concentrations in fish, flax seeds and walnuts. They are essential to the health of all cells but particularly play critical roles in brain health and learning, visual development, immune strength, fighting inflammation, pregnancy, and heart disease. In fact, a recent and most comprehensive review on omega 3 fats looked at 19 studies from 16 countries (including 45,637 participants) and found that those with the highest levels of omega 3 fats in their blood had lower risks of heart attacks….
and just last week the FDA announced new health claims for EPA and DHA Omega 3 consumption and the risk of hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Want to know how important to brain health these fats are? Homicide mortality rates are inversely related to seafood consumption, meaning societies who eat more seafood have lower homicide rates!
Also interesting, one study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry Researchers found reduced felony level violent offenses among prisoners who took omega 3 supplements. Research also shows omega 3s help treat depression, including postpartum depression.
Unfortunately, 90% of Americans are deficient in omega 3s. We’re eating too many omega 6s and not enough omega 3s. That is, we consume WAY too many foods with highly processed omega 6s such as vegetable and soybean oils. (Think all processed food , fried foods and what they are most often using in restaurants.)
SO..what we want to impress upon you, is not only the fact that EVERYONE should be on an Omega 3 supplement (even if you eat fish) but also that you should be concerned with the QUALITY of your fish oil supplement.
This is why I only work with companies
that I know and trust.
Our favorite Omega 3 is from Standard Process and has a good mix of DHA and EPA but we also have them as a concentrated DHA or EPA fish oil.
In general, if you have more brain issues, depression or memory issues, take more DHA!
If you have more cardiovascular risk factors, you may want to load up on EPA.
Here is the low down on our favorite SP Omega 3’s which we stock at the office:
Olprima EPA/DHA (60 softgels): $45.00 (plus tax)
Olprima DHA (60 softgels): $40.00 (plus tax)
Olprima EPA (6o softgels): $40.00 (plus tax) *Can be ordered upon request
Suggested Use: Two softgels per day, or as directed
Olprima EPA|DHA provides condition-specific support through a 55:45 ratio of the omega-3s, EPA and DHA. Olprima EPA|DHA supports cardiovascular and brain health while supporting the body’s healthy inflammatory response.*
Supports cardiovascular health
Supports healthy inflammatory processes
Supports general brain health and cognition
General mood support
Gluten-free
*When used at the optimal ratio and dose, concentrated EPA and DHA omega-3 oils may improve specific clinical conditions in very different ways from foundational omega-3 supplementation typically used to maintain good health. 1, 2, 3
(As part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.)
References:
1. Dyall, S.C. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the brain: a review of the independent and shared effects of EPA, DPA and DHA. Front Aging Neurosci 7, 52 (2015).
2. Allaire, J., et al. A randomized, crossover, head-to-head comparison of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation to reduce inflammation markers in men and women: the Comparing EPA to DHA (ComparED) Study. Am J Clin Nutr 104, 280-287 (2016).
3. Martins, J.G. EPA but not DHA appears to be responsible for the efficacy of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in depression: evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Coll Nutr 28, 525-542 (2009).