Benefits of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids

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.

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