Omega-3 fish oil urged for heart patients

In May, 2007, BBC news reported the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) believes this is an effective way to cut the risk of further heart attacks. This ‘news’ has been common knowledge for some years in enlightened health circles and the market place is full of fish oil in various forms to tempt the public

What is interesting, though, is a comment in this 2007 article stating ‘research has found that one specific omega-3 supplement, ‘name’, cut the risk of sudden death by up to 45%. (Ed’s emphasis)

It went on to say that ‘name’ is currently the ‘only omega-3 supplement with a licence for post-heart attack treatment’. This may be so, but what it is also saying, is that a natural food, which is not patentable, has found its way into main stream medicine, and in order for it to be able to remain there, it has to be given a licence! Now how absurd is that?

And further, pharmaceutical grade omega-3 from fish oil, which has had heavy metals removed from it, will do your heart good, no matter what it is called. A licence is something added on later which will have no effect on your body at all

Image Source: News BBC http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42953000/jpg/_42953887_heart_organ203152.jpg

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Omega-3 Fats Prevent Breast Cancer

• Animal experiments have shown that a diet rich in linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acids) promotes the growth of malignant breast cancer tumors

• However, the addition of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to the diet can block this effect

• Epidemiological studies have shown that countries with a high intake of omega-3 acids from fish have lower breast cancer rates. Researchers evaluated over 250 patients with breast cancer and analyzed their fat relative to 90 women without breast cancer
Int J Cancer March 2002 1;98(1):78-83

While we now know that EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) are exactly that – essential to the existence of a healthy body, have you noticed the confusion about how much of each we should be taking? Why do some say ‘we must have all our omegas’, while others say ‘omega-3 is the only one’? Omega-6 is abundant in our diets, its everywhere we look! In nearly all processed and packaged foods under the wording ‘vegetable oil’, it dominates our diets in the form of sunflower, canola (real name ‘rape seed oil’, no wonder they changed its name!) oil and low grade olive oils such as pomace oil, a very cheap oil which is used to fry chips and fast foods, amongst others.

The important point is to keep our EFA intake balanced. Because we have so much omega-6 and 9 (olive oil, seeds, nuts, etc) without even trying, we need to increase omega-3 to get the ratio right. In early humans the ratio was about 1:1 between omega-3 and 6. Currently most Americans eat a dietary ratio that falls between 20:1 and 50:1. For most of us to achieve this we must reduce omega-6 and increase omega-3 on a daily basis. Eating more fish is the natural way to do this, but we must be aware of heavy metal poisoning, so a pharmaceutical grade omega-3 fish oil supplement is free from possible toxic poisoning from deep sea fish and will give you adequate supplies of healthy omega-3

Further reading:
Britsh Journal of Cancer

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7 steps to naturally health bones

1. Maintain healthy levels of pharmaceutical grade omega-3 fish oil through supplementation. We have ample supplies of omega-6 in our diets and are all omega-3 deficient

2. Eat a healthy diet of fresh organic vegetables, especially onions and garlic as they appear to slow bone loss, fruit, legumes, lentils, seeds, nuts, lamb, fish, poultry and eggs and supplement according to your needs established by a recongnised nutritionally trained health practitioner

3. Green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, beans, spinach and beet tops are particularly beneficial

4. Consider supplementing with vitamin K2 if you are not getting enough from food alone. Vitamin K serves as the biological "glue" that helps plug the calcium into the bone matrix

5. Get enough vitamin D, ideally from good amounts of sun exposure. Vitamin D builds your bone density by helping your body absorb calcium

6. Increase your Vit C supplementation to a minimum of 1 – 2 g per day, preferably in the form of Ester C

7. Exercise. Studies show that exercise is as important to your bone as eating a calcium-rich diet

View the Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet

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Omega-3 (Fish Oil) Supplementation Benefits

Over 60 health conditions can benefit from essential fatty acid supplementation, in the areas covering:

1.) Cardiovascular disease


2.) Allergic and inflammatory conditions


3.) Autoimmune diseases


Health conditions exhibiting improvement with EFA supplementation include:

Acne, AIDS, Allergies, Alzheimer's, Angina, Angioplasty, Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, Autoimmune diseases, Behavioral disorders, Breast cysts, Breast pain, Breast tenderness, Cancer, Cartilage destruction, Coronary bypass, Cystic Fibrosis, Dementia, Dermatitis, Diabetes, E.coli infection, Heart disease, Hyperactivity, Hypertension, Hypoxia, Ichthyosis, Immune disorders, Infant nutrition, Inflammatory conditions, Intestinal disorders, Kidney function, Learning, Leprosy, Leukemia, Lupus, Mastalgia, Menopause, Mental Illness, Metastasis, Multiple Sclerosis, Myocardial infarction, Myopathy, Neurological disease, Obesity, Osteoarthritis, Postviral fatigue, Pregnancy malnutrition, Psoriasis, Refsum’s syndrome, Reye’s syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, Schizophrenia, Sepsis, Sjogren-Larsson syndrome, Stroke, Vascular disease, Vision.

Is there any reason for you not to be supplementing with Omega-3 fish oil? Why not find a good source of fish oil – remember is absolutely must be a pharmaceutical grade with all the toxins removed under pharmaceutical conditions and it must not be rancid – and supplement with 1000mg (combined) EPA/DHA for best results. Depending on your source, this could mean anything from 1 teaspoon of flowing oil to 3 vegicaps per day.

Read more from Dr Murray

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Finding the balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3

The balance of omega-6 to omega-3 oils is critical to proper prostaglandin metabolism. Prostaglandins have many functions, such as bronco dilation, inflammatory reactions and the regulation of cell propagation. The optimal ration of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is 4:1, or four times the amount of omega-6 fatty acids as omega-3 fatty acids. However, in our modern diet, we are currently consuming a ratio greater than 20:1

There are many hidden sources of omega-6 oils in our diets and the elimination of these poor quality oils from our diets while providing good quality omega-3 in the form of Pharmaceutical Grade fish oil will help to regulate the following symptoms:

o Inflammation, pain and swelling
o Blood pressure
o Heart function
o Gastrointestinal function and secretions
o Kidney function and fluid balance
o Blood clotting and platelet aggregation
o Allergic response
o Nerve transmission
o Steroid production and hormone synthesis

Read more on Doctor Murray

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EFA Deficiency

The signs and symptoms of the essential fatty acid Omega-3 deficiency may be overt or chronically nagging, while ranging from mild fatigue to fatal heart attack. Most allopathic health care professions never make the simple association between a health symptom and Omega-3 deficiency and the fundamental underlying cause of illness continues to manifest. Physicians are rarely, if ever trained in nutrition and laboratory analyses to measure EFA deficiency are not readily available or appreciated. The consequences of EFA deficiency are far more deadly today than other nutrient deficiencies and it is recommended that everyone takes an Omega-3 supplement, regardless of their condition.

A few signs and symptoms of typical Omega-3 deficiency:

o Fatigue
o Lack of endurance
o Dry skin
o Cracked nails
o Dry, listless hair
o Dry mucous membranes, tear ducts, mouth
o Gas, bloating
o Constipation
o Immune weakness
o Frequent colds and sickness
o Aching, sore joints
o Angina, chest pain
o Depression
o Lack of motivation
o Forgetfulness
o High blood pressure
o History of cardiovascular disease
o Arthritis

Watch out for postings on the importance of the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ration and Supplementation recommendations.

Read more on Sally-Ann Creed


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Omega-3 fish oil supplements and toxins

There’s no doubt that fish and fish oil are healthy foods. Omega-3 is an essential nutrient that is only available to us from foods we eat. Even mainstream medicine now prescribes Omega-3 supplementation for atherosclerosis patients and the exceptional results experienced by people suffering from Bi-polar and AD(H)D disorders is legion.

So why bring in toxins? Simply because it’s a known fact that fish is contaminated with heavy metals and toxic chemicals, especially mercury. The simple conclusion is that the oil in the fish must therefore also be toxic to varying degrees and it is essential that you only buy ‘Pharmaceutical Grade’ fish oil supplements.

Some toxins found in fish

• Mercury: In America one-in-six children born every year have been exposed to mercury levels so high that they are potentially at risk for learning disabilities and motor skill impairment and short-term memory loss. Mercury has been ‘on the market’ in skin creams and dental fillings for generations. It can cause permanent damage to the nervous system
• PCBs are toxic chemicals that cause cancer, liver damage, reproductive impairments, numbness of limbs and immune system damage, amongst other defects
• Dioxins and Furans are highly carcinogenic environmental man-made contaminants formed as a result of burning fossil fuels. Dioxins are the most toxic chemicals made by man

There are many fish oil products on the market – don’t be fooled into thinking they are all good for you – far from it. ONLY Pharmaceutical Grade, is healthy fish oil.

Oxidized Fish Oil

Most fish oils used in fish oil supplements are transported long distances in tankers and …...... fish oil is highly susceptible to rancidity....meaning it goes bad quickly because it's fragile.
In short, freshness for most fish oils is an issue -- which is just another way of saying that the fish oil can become oxidized and goes bad. To know the health of your fish oil, open a capsule – if there is a strong, bad smell, it’s oxidized!

Pharmaceutical Grade simplified

Simply put…Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 is distilled under pharmaceutical conditions so that the toxins are removed, providing you with a ‘pure’ product. This company has had their omega-3 fish oil tested by an independent laboratory.

Further reading on Omega-3: Ascenta Health

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Salmon Oil or Flax Oil?

There is a difference in the way the body can use fish oils, compared to flax seed oil. The body converts the original type of omega-3 fat, known as (alpha) linolenic acid, which is the principle fat in flax seeds, into EPA and DHA which are both found in fish oils, but not in flax. So by eating fish or taking fish oils, you are saving your body from having to do the conversion.

What’s more, the efficacy of the conversion is dubious in many people. The enzymes that convert linolenic acid into EPA and DHA are very underdeveloped in babies, which is why breast feeding is so important and why supplying children with a direct source of EPA and DHA is essential.

Another problem with relying on taking flax seed oil is that, for an unknown reason, the linolenic acid appears to convert more readily to EPA than DHA. On average 15% of linolenic acid converts to EPA, while only 5% converts to DHA, thus causing an imbalance. Indeed, vegetarians have been shown to have lower levels of DHA, even if their EPA levels are adequate. Since DHA is literally a building component of the brain it is most vital in pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.

It is also important to ensure a good supply of the nutrients on which the conversion enzymes depend, i.e. Vitamins B3, B6 and C, biotin, zinc and magnesium, which is easily achieved by giving your child a good multivitamin and mineral supplement.

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Hope for allergy sufferers?

Allergy vaccine hopes get boost, so says Richard Black, BBC science correspondence

“Medical researchers have obtained promising results from a trial of a genetically-engineered allergy vaccine.

During the trial, conducted in Austria, Sweden and France, the vaccine significantly reduced peoples' allergic response to pollen.

The team says it is already developing further GM vaccines to combat other allergies”

Some estimates reveal that a quarter of the world’s population could be allergic to something; so many unhappy sniffling, sneezing and coughing people around the world will welcome this news

However, further into the article, Black writes “But although these can work well, they can also produce major side-effects.”

As with many other pharmaceutical drugs, somehow the cause of the allergies has been quietly by-passed, and all this new genetically modified drug can ever do is mask the symptoms so that we feel better - whilst our body gets sicker with side effects, more likely on top of other drugs for other conditions which carry more side-effects. And so the debilitation goes on, with no real hope of ever being fully well again

Why not get to the cause instead?

Allergies are frequently caused by food sensitivities, and while we are not aware of their causing the problem, allergens such as pollen and house mites will tip the scales and produce the attacks that leave us utterly miserable:

• Whilst asthma has long been classed as an allergy, it is in fact rooted in a food sensitivity, most often dairy or wheat or sugar
• Dry eyes, not always connected to allergies, are a symptom of an Omega-3 deficiency
• Sinus problems can be a thing of the past if you give up dairy products

Ten suggestions to rid you of allergies forever:

1. Speak to a nutritionally trained health practitioner
2. Food sensitivity tests are readily available to find your specific sensitivity
3. Or you can eliminate trigger foods from your diet for one month at a time – i.e. no dairy foods for one month, then no wheat, no sugar, etc
4. Once you have found your sensitivity, stay off that food (or foods) for a minimum of six months, and then SLOWLY re-introduce the offending food.
5. If you reintroduce too quickly your sensitivity could come back with a vengeance!
6. Supplement with pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 Fish Oil (deficiencies of this essential fat can exacerbate food sensitivities)
7. Increase fresh fruit and vegetables, with lots of raw and juiced foods
8. Eliminate bad fats such as margarine, sunflower and cheap olive oils
9. Eliminate processed foods from your diet
10. Get good exercise at least three times a week

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Memory Loss: 6 simple ways to prevent it!

1. Exercise your mind. Crossword puzzles, mind games, challenging reading or educational classes can help keep your brain agile and strong.

2. Exercise your body. Physical exercise seems to correlate with better mental function, perhaps because of improved circulation.

3. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetables and fruit are the best sources of antioxidants. A good pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement provides omega-3s – remember, men don’t take a chance with flax oil – its now well documented to promote cancer growth

4. Limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol in almost any quantity can be toxic to the nervous system.

5. De-stress. Perform daily breathing exercises and practice relaxation techniques like meditation, prayer or yoga.

6. Take multivitamin containing B vitamins. Folic acid, B6 and B12 are essential to maintaining healthy nerve function. Ginkgo biloba is also a helpful supplement

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What's Omega-3 all about?

Everywhere we look it seems, we learn of more benefits of Omega-3 from fish oil, while at the same time, because of its popularity as a supplement, more confusing opinions are presented by the market place and the aggressive advertising amongst producers. In the hope of clearing up a few myths, over the next few weeks I’ll be writing in depth on the advantages of fish oil supplementation and reporting on up to date scientific findings

According to the International Food Information Council Foundation in the USA, 2/3 of the population is concerned about the level and type of dietary fats they consume, yet less than ¼ believed fats are healthy. Naturally, as we’ve been told over decades to ‘cut fats from our diets and go fat-free to lose weight and protect our hearts’. What the ‘fat-free’ pundits don’t know is that it’s the type of fat we eat that can be harmful, not ALL fats. We cannot live without fat in our diets, but it has to be the right fat.

So let’s try and untangle the misinformation, and do a Basic Course on Omega-3

EFA’s or Essential Fatty Acids, are exactly that, essential to proper growth and development for children and adults, but by far the most important of these is Omega-3. This EFA is far out-weighed in ratio by Omegas 6 and 9 in our regular Western diet and we need to supplement heavily on Omega-3 in order to balance the ratio. We encourage you to eat fatty fish at least twice a week for a minimum intake of Omega-3, but if you are like many people on the modern diet, you will need some form of supplementation additional to what you get through your diet

Omega-3 PUFA’s are vital for healthy development of every cell, tissue and organ in the body, by working to keep individual cell membranes flexible for proper functioning. They are found in fish and shellfish¹.

In fish and shellfish, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are the major Omega-3 PUFA’s and are often referred to as ‘very long chain’ PUFA’s. They are found in higher amounts such as fatty fish such as halibut, mackerel, herring, salmon, tuna and anchovies. Although plant forms of Omega-3 (called alpha linoleic acid) can be consumed, only a very small percentage of it can be converted to very long chain PUFA’s within the body²

There’s a great deal of research showing that very long chain Omega-3 is the most beneficial fat for the body. The Physician’s Health Study found that increasing Omega-3 intake reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death by more than half. The Italian GISSI study found that the consumption of Omega-3 PUFA’s resulted in decreased rates of mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke, with particular decreases in the rate of sudden death

It is uncertain exactly how marine Omega-3 PUFA’s protect the heart, but there is evidence they may stop the heart from beating in an irregular pattern (arrhythmias) and reduce the chance of a dangerous blood clots, lower inflammation in the blood vessels as well as reduce blood triglyceride level

REFERENCES:
¹ International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation; Consumer Attitudes toward Food, Nutrition & Health a Benchmark Survey 2006
² Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board, Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Fat, Protein and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). Washington, DC. National Academy Press; 2002

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