CLINICAL APPLICATIONS• Source of omega-3 fatty acids for the maintenance of good health • Helps maintain/support cardiovascular health • Helps support cognitive health and/or brain function |
Recommended Dose
Adults and adolescents 9 years+: Take 1 capsule 1 time per day or ask your health care professional.
OVERVIEW
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential cornerstones of human nutrition. They are deemed “essential” because we need them for proper health, but cannot produce them on our own. We must consume these fats through diet or supplementation. Omega-3 fatty acids are required for a number of body functions, from proper blood flow to brain development. These long-chain fatty acids are integral components of tissues and organ systems throughout the body, including the heart, skin, joints, eyes and immune system. In nature, omega-3 fatty acids occur as alpha linolenic acid (ALA), found mostly in plants, and as long-chain EPA, DHA and DPA, which primarily originate from cold-water fish. The body is able to slowly convert the shorter chain ALA to the more active long-chain, EPA, DHA and DPA. Conversion is limited in humans, making a higher dietary intake of EPA, DHA and DPA necessary. In addition, major changes in modern diet over the last century have led to a decrease in the general consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. Since omega-3 fatty acids are known to benefit cardiovascular health, support healthy brain function and cognition, and maintain a healthy inflammatory response, achieving the proper balance of omega-3s has become an important health strategy that requires supplementation for most people. The American Heart Association recommends that those concerned about blood lipids take up to 4 g of omega-3 fatty acids per day.
INGREDIENT BENEFITS
Fish Oil Delivery – Triglycerides vs. EthylEsters
While the amount of EPA, DHA and DPA providedin a fish oil product is important for efficacy, the type of fish oil deliveredis another significant factor in defining fish oil effectiveness. While ethylesters allow for higher concentrations of EPA, DHA and DPA, their unusualstructure is resistant to the digestive enzymes (lipases) that enable fatbreakdown. In a study comparing EPA and DHA digestion in both forms, fivecommon digestive lipase enzymes were shown to more readily digest fish oil inthe triglyceride as compared to the ethyl ester substrate when there is a lowenzyme to substrate ratio and therefore a low rate of hydrolysis. A recentstudy, conducted by fish oil research pioneer Dr. Jorn Dyerberg, demonstratedthat omega-3s in the re-esterified triglyceride form are more efficientlydigested and therefore 70% more absorbable than omega-3s in the ethyl esterform.
Omega-3 Depletion
An accumulating body of research shows thatthe typical modern diet does not provide a sufficient amount of omega-3s foroptimal health. Additionally, insufficient conversion of ALA to the active EPA,DHA and DPA may reduce the amount available for use in organs and tissues.
Cardiovascular
Omega-3 fatty acids have long been known tobenefit cardiovascular health. The well-known GISSI-Prevenzione trial foundthat just 1 g a day of n-3 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids), the maincomponent in fish oil, had a significant impact on cardiovascular health afterthree to four months of consumption. EPA and DHA have been shown to modulatelevels of fat in the blood.
Additional Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
In addition to their well-known cardiovascularbenefits, EPA and DHA play a central role in eyes, nerves and brain developmentin children up to 12 years of age. In a recent British study, omega-3 bloodlevels were shown to be directly related to supporting cognition, and brainfunction among healthy children with below-average reading ability.
