Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
& Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
& Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
| . |
The foods you buy in the market today are almost guaranteed not to contain any (or very little)
of the essential fatty acids (EFA's) that are typically found in fats and oils. The two largest
categories of fatty acids are best recognized as the Omega 3 and Omega 6 groups. Both of
these essential fatty acid groups are vital for good health. They both perform slightly different
functions in the body, most of which are essential for optimal health! Essential fatty acids like
EPA and DHA are derived from different sources, and are a part of several chains of metabolic
events in the body that prevents disease, assist the transport and uptake of oxygen, maintain
brain function, maintain the immune system, cardiovascular health and keep hormone levels
where they should be as we age. Essential fatty acids deficiencies in today's society are
directly associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other
degenerative conditions.
The proportion of these essential fatty acid's in the diet has become very unbalanced toward
the Omega 6 side of the scale. This has led to a host of sub-clinical disease states that range
from hormonal disruptions to immune dysfunction. The proper balance/ratio of these nutrients
is imperative for optimal health. Omega 6 and Omega 3 essential fatty acids are best
consumed in a ratio of about 3:1; that is: three omega 6 to one omega 3.
Omega 6 Fatty Acids (e.g. linoleic acid) These essential fatty acids's are in
polyunsaturated fats and are found in unrefined safflower, corn, meat, sesame and sunflower
oils.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids (e.g. alpha-linolenic acid) Found in oily fish, linseed or flax oil, hemp
oil, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, dark green vegetables.
The diet in the west ranges from between 10 - 20 to 1 in favor of omega 6, which is not good
for health. We are eating too much omega 6 fat and not enough omega 3 fats. This increase
and excessive intake of omega 6 can cause increased water retention, raised blood pressure,
an increase in allergic responses and increased blood clotting. Studies have shown that taking
EPA+DHA everyday significantly reduces deaths from heart disease.
Commercial natural marine lipid concentrate provides a dietary source of the valuable Omega-
3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The most recent
research has revealed important new evidence that a balanced combination of these marine
lipids in the diet improved overall health by helping to nutritionally support the natural control
of blood lipids, such as cholesterol. This helps to protect against heart disease, improves
endocrine function and at the same time supports many enzyme functions in the body, which
play a key role in neurological functions as well.
Benefits
� Decreases risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death
� Decreases triglyceride levels
� Decreases growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque
� Can slightly lower blood pressure
� Helps to protect against heart disease
� Helps improves endocrine function
� Improves overall health by helping to nutritionally support the natural control of blood lipids,
such as cholesterol
References and Recent Research Findings
Anti-tumor Effect
Leitzmann et al followed a cohort of 47 866 US men aged 40-75 with no cancer history in 1986
for 14 years. During this period, 2965 new cases of total prostate cancer were ascertained,
448 of which were at advanced level. They found that eicosapentaenoic acid and
docosahexaenoic acid intakes were related to lower prostate cancer risk.
[Reference Dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and the risk of prostate cancer. Leitzmann
et al, NIH, USA. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jul;80(1):204-16.]
Anti-stress, Anti-inflammatory and Anti-anxiety Effects
Song et al fed groups of rats with various combinations of coconut oil, soy bean oil and
eicosapentaenoic acid. They then induced stress to the rats; they found that food enriched
with ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid significantly attenuated most of the stress-responses, such
as reduced body weight, reduced time spent on maze... [Dietary ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid
but not soybean oil reverses central interleukin-1-induced changes in behavior, corticosterone
and immune response in rats. Song et al, University of British Columbia, Canada. Stress. 2004
Mar;7(1):43-54.]
Protection from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Wijendran et al reviewed epidemiological and clinical studies and concluded that the n-6 fatty
acid, linoleic acid (LA), and the n-3 fatty acid, linolenic acid (LNA), eicosapentaenoic acid and
DHA collectively protect against CHD. LA rdownregulates LDL-C production and enhances its
clearance. On the other hand, n-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic
aAcid, are potent antiarryhthmic agents. Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid
also improve vascular endothelial function and help lower blood pressure, platelet sensitivity,
and the serum triglyceride level. [Dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acid balance and cardiovascular
health. Wijendran et al. Brandeis University, USA. Annu Rev Nutr. 2004;24:597-615.]
This article is for your reference. Talk to your doctor for any question or before taking any
supplement. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008
of the essential fatty acids (EFA's) that are typically found in fats and oils. The two largest
categories of fatty acids are best recognized as the Omega 3 and Omega 6 groups. Both of
these essential fatty acid groups are vital for good health. They both perform slightly different
functions in the body, most of which are essential for optimal health! Essential fatty acids like
EPA and DHA are derived from different sources, and are a part of several chains of metabolic
events in the body that prevents disease, assist the transport and uptake of oxygen, maintain
brain function, maintain the immune system, cardiovascular health and keep hormone levels
where they should be as we age. Essential fatty acids deficiencies in today's society are
directly associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other
degenerative conditions.
The proportion of these essential fatty acid's in the diet has become very unbalanced toward
the Omega 6 side of the scale. This has led to a host of sub-clinical disease states that range
from hormonal disruptions to immune dysfunction. The proper balance/ratio of these nutrients
is imperative for optimal health. Omega 6 and Omega 3 essential fatty acids are best
consumed in a ratio of about 3:1; that is: three omega 6 to one omega 3.
Omega 6 Fatty Acids (e.g. linoleic acid) These essential fatty acids's are in
polyunsaturated fats and are found in unrefined safflower, corn, meat, sesame and sunflower
oils.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids (e.g. alpha-linolenic acid) Found in oily fish, linseed or flax oil, hemp
oil, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, dark green vegetables.
The diet in the west ranges from between 10 - 20 to 1 in favor of omega 6, which is not good
for health. We are eating too much omega 6 fat and not enough omega 3 fats. This increase
and excessive intake of omega 6 can cause increased water retention, raised blood pressure,
an increase in allergic responses and increased blood clotting. Studies have shown that taking
EPA+DHA everyday significantly reduces deaths from heart disease.
Commercial natural marine lipid concentrate provides a dietary source of the valuable Omega-
3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The most recent
research has revealed important new evidence that a balanced combination of these marine
lipids in the diet improved overall health by helping to nutritionally support the natural control
of blood lipids, such as cholesterol. This helps to protect against heart disease, improves
endocrine function and at the same time supports many enzyme functions in the body, which
play a key role in neurological functions as well.
Benefits
� Decreases risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death
� Decreases triglyceride levels
� Decreases growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque
� Can slightly lower blood pressure
� Helps to protect against heart disease
� Helps improves endocrine function
� Improves overall health by helping to nutritionally support the natural control of blood lipids,
such as cholesterol
References and Recent Research Findings
Anti-tumor Effect
Leitzmann et al followed a cohort of 47 866 US men aged 40-75 with no cancer history in 1986
for 14 years. During this period, 2965 new cases of total prostate cancer were ascertained,
448 of which were at advanced level. They found that eicosapentaenoic acid and
docosahexaenoic acid intakes were related to lower prostate cancer risk.
[Reference Dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and the risk of prostate cancer. Leitzmann
et al, NIH, USA. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jul;80(1):204-16.]
Anti-stress, Anti-inflammatory and Anti-anxiety Effects
Song et al fed groups of rats with various combinations of coconut oil, soy bean oil and
eicosapentaenoic acid. They then induced stress to the rats; they found that food enriched
with ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid significantly attenuated most of the stress-responses, such
as reduced body weight, reduced time spent on maze... [Dietary ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid
but not soybean oil reverses central interleukin-1-induced changes in behavior, corticosterone
and immune response in rats. Song et al, University of British Columbia, Canada. Stress. 2004
Mar;7(1):43-54.]
Protection from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Wijendran et al reviewed epidemiological and clinical studies and concluded that the n-6 fatty
acid, linoleic acid (LA), and the n-3 fatty acid, linolenic acid (LNA), eicosapentaenoic acid and
DHA collectively protect against CHD. LA rdownregulates LDL-C production and enhances its
clearance. On the other hand, n-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic
aAcid, are potent antiarryhthmic agents. Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid
also improve vascular endothelial function and help lower blood pressure, platelet sensitivity,
and the serum triglyceride level. [Dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acid balance and cardiovascular
health. Wijendran et al. Brandeis University, USA. Annu Rev Nutr. 2004;24:597-615.]
This article is for your reference. Talk to your doctor for any question or before taking any
supplement. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008
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