What is Omega 3?

Question

Please can anyone enlighten me as to why all of a sudden we "must" have Omega 3 in our diet? And what on earth is it?

Answer 1

Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a carbon-carbon double bond in the ω-3 position. (See Nomenclature for terms and discussion of ω (omega) nomenclature.)

Important nutritional essential omega-3 fatty acids are: α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). For a more complete list see List of omega-3 fatty acids. The human body cannot synthesize omega-3 fatty acids de novo, but it can form 20- and 22-carbon unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids from the eighteen-carbon omega-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid. These conversions occur competitively with omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential closely related chemical analogues that are derived from linoleic acid. Both the omega-3 α-linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid are essential nutrients which must be obtained from food. Synthesis of the longer omega-3 fatty acids from linolenic acid within the body is competitively slowed by the omega-6 analogues. Thus accumulation of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in tissues is more effective when they are obtained directly from food or when competing amounts of omega-6 analogs do not greatly exceed the amounts of omega-3.

On September 8, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave "qualified health claim" status to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids, stating that "supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease."[2] This updated and modified their health risk advice letter of 2001 (see below).

People with certain circulatory problems, such as varicose veins, benefit from fish oil. Fish oil stimulates blood circulation and increases the breakdown of fibrin, a compound involved in clot and scar formation.

A 2006 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that their review of literature covering cohorts from many countries with a wide variety of demographic characteristics failed to demonstrate a link between omega-3 fatty acids and cancer prevention.[3] This is similar to the findings of a review by the British Medical Journal of studies up to February 2002 that failed to find clear effects of long and shorter chain omega-3 fats on total mortality, combined cardiovascular events and cancer.[4]

In April 2006, a team led by Lee Hooper at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, published a review of almost 100 separate studies into omega-3 fatty acids, found in abundance in oily fish. It concluded that they do not have a significant protective effect against cardiovascular disease.[5] This meta-analysis was controversial and stands in stark contrast with two different reviews also performed in 2006 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition[6] and a second JAMA review[7] that both indicated decreases in total mortality and cardiovascular incidents (i.e. myocardial infarctions) associated with the regular consumption of fish and fish oil supplements. In addition Omega-3 has shown to aid in other mental disorders such as aggression and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder).

Several studies published in 2007 have been more positive. In the March 2007 edition of the journal Atherosclerosis, 81 Japanese men with unhealthy blood sugar levels were randomly assigned to receive 1800 mg daily of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA - an omega-3 essential fatty acid from fish oil) with the other half being a control group. The thickness of the carotid arteries and certain measures of blood flow were measured before and after supplementation. This went on for approximately two years. A total of 60 patients (30 in the EPA group and 30 in the control group) completed the study. Those given the EPA had a statistically significant decrease in the thickness of the carotid arteries along with improvement in blood flow. The authors indicated that this was the first demonstration that administration of purified EPA improves the thickness of carotid arteries along with improving blood flow in patients with unhealthy blood sugar levels.[citation needed]

In another study published in the American Journal of Health System Pharmacy March 2007, patients with high triglycerides and poor coronary artery health were given 4 grams a day of a combination of EPA and DHA along with some monounsaturated fatty acids. Those patients with very unhealthy triglyceride levels (above 500 mg/dl) reduced their triglycerides on average 45% and their VLDL cholesterol by more than 50%. VLDL is a bad type of cholesterol and elevated triglycerides can also be deleterious for cardiovascular health.[citation needed]

There was another study published on the benefits of EPA in the prestigious journal The Lancet in March 2007. This study involved over 18,000 patients with unhealthy cholesterol levels. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1,800 mg a day of EPA with a statin drug or a statin drug alone. The trial went on for a total of five years. It was found at the end of the study those patients in the EPA group had superior cardiovascular function. Non-fatal coronary events were also significantly reduced in the EPA group. The authors concluded that EPA is a promising supplement for promoting cardiovascular health.[citation needed]

Another study regarding fish oil was published in the journal Nutrition in April 2007. Sixty four healthy Danish infants received either cow's milk or infant formula alone or with fish oil from nine to twelve months of age. It was found that those infants supplemented with fish oil had improvement in immune function maturation with no apparent reduction in immune activation.[citation needed]

There was yet another study on omega-3 fatty acids published in the April 2007 Journal of NeuroScience. A group of mice were genetically modified to develop accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain similar to that seen in people with poor memory. The mice were divided into four groups with one group receiving a typical American diet (with high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids being 10 to 1). The other three groups were given food with a balanced 1 to 1 omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and two additional groups supplemented with DHA plus long chain omega-6 fatty acids. After three months of feeding, all the DHA supplemented groups were noted to have a lower accumulation of beta amyloid and tau protein. It is felt that these abnormal proteins may contribute to the development of memory loss in later years.[citation needed]

Finally, there was a study published regarding omega-3 supplementation in children with learning and behavioral problems. This study was published in the April 2007 edition of the Journal of the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (5), where 132 children, between the ages of seven to twelve years old, with poor learning, participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded interventional trial. A total of 104 children completed the trial. For the first fifteen weeks of this study, the children were given polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6, 3000 mg a day), polyunsaturated fatty acids plus multi-vitamins and minerals or placebo. After fifteen weeks, all groups crossed over to the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) plus vitamins and mineral supplement. Parents were asked to rate their children's condition after fifteen and thirty weeks. After thirty weeks, parental ratings of behavior improved significantly in nine out of fourteen scales. The lead author of the study, Dr. Sinn, indicated the present study is the largest PUFA trial to date with children falling in the poor learning and focus range. The results support those of other studies that have found improvement in poor developmental health with essential fatty acid supplementation.[8]

Research in 2005-06 has suggested that the in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of omega-3 acids translates into clinical benefits. Cohorts of neck pain patients and of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have demonstrated benefits comparable to those receiving standard NSAIDs [citation needed]. Those who follow a Mediterranean-style diet tend to have less heart disease, higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels [9] and higher proportions of omega-3 in tissue highly unsaturated fatty acids [10]. Similar to those who follow a Mediterranean diet, Arctic-dwelling Inuit - who consume high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish - also tend to have higher proportions of omega-3, increased HDL cholesterol and decreased triglycerides (fatty material that circulates in the blood) and less heart disease. Eating walnuts (the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 is circa 1:4 respectively [11] [12] ) (which have several-fold more omega-3 ALA than omega-6 LA[citation needed]) was reported to lower total cholesterol by 4% relative to controls when people also ate 27% less cholesterol

Answer 2

Re; sticking omega-3 in food.

I bought some bread 'enriched with omega-3' and found I could get by RDA if I just ate 25 slices each day. Most of these additions are marketuing hype. (The amount of EPA/ DHA per slice was the same as that used in a placebo! in a clinical trial)

Omega-3 is important as we get too much omega-6 nowadays. (Omega-6 is an inflammatory and omega-3 anti-inflammatory). There are suggestions that high levels of eczema, asthma found these days may be exacerbated by high omega-6 and low omega-3

Answer 3

Hello Goldy Locks,

There is a lot of debate at the moment about the benefits, or otherwise of Omega-3.

Rather than go into the facts (or lack of) of this here, may I direct you to the following link which explains about Omega-3 in layman's terms and is very comprehensive.

The Link is:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/omega.shtml

Poseidon

Answer 4

See, Omega 3 and cod liver oil are essentials in our diet, but most of us were unaware of this fact and hence skipped meals that consisted of both of this. Most vegetarians cannot consume these nutrients because they are available in certain fishes such as cod, mackerel, salmon, etc. Whereas, for the other group of people who do not relish the taste of fish also find it difficult to consume these nutrients and that is when supplements come handy. These nutrients are essential in boosting your immunity as well as provides the body with good quantities of Vitamin A and D. Omega 3 is essential for lowering the triglyceride levels which helps prevent heart disorders.
On my doctor's recommendation, I consume Seacod (http://www.seacod.com) capsules along with my meals as per his prescription. It has really helped me maintain my good health.

Answer 5

omega ultra belt disc fly series o5

http://www.ewatchme.com

Answer 6

Its that stuff (fish oil) that they are sticking into everything these days milk, tinned spaghetti,bread, without a thought in the world for vegetarians.

Answer 7

A simplified answer is, it is a type of fish oil, that is also a natural anti inflammatory