Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
& 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.
Comercial 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