Natural Nutritional Supplement

Other common names:  EPA , Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fish Oil, Essential Fatty Acid

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPAs) are essential for normal growth and development.  Found in fish oil, flaxseeds, canola oil and other sources, Omega-3 Acids are now easily taken in supplements that can help to support normal blood pressure levels and good cardiac health, ease inflammatory problems of all kinds and possibly even improve brain function and behavioral problems.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is one of several Omega-3 Fatty Acids that are the body's basic building blocks and essential for normal growth and development.  Contrary to conventional wisdom, the body does require fat - the right kind of fat.   Essential Fatty Acids cannot be made by the body and must be supplied by the diet, and every living cell in the body needs them for rebuilding and producing new cells.  Alpha-linoleic acid (LNA) is the parent of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, and they, in turn, are the precursors of prostaglandins, which are necessary to life by regulating bodily processes such as blood pressure, inflammation reaction, and smooth muscle contraction, etc.  Omega-3 Fatty Oils (including alpha linolenic and EPA) are found in deepwater fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, etc.) and certain vegetable oils as canola, flax and walnut, but because American diets are greatly lacking in these foods, it is essential that they be added to the diet as a supplement.  EPA is found naturally in breast milk; therefore, infants who are breastfed should receive sufficient amounts of EPA.  Our brains require Omega-3 acids for healthy neurotransmissions and normal function, just as muscle growth requires protein.

Beneficial Uses:
In the fight against cardiovascular problems, Omega-3 Fatty Acids have become popular as a supplement that is believed to support healthy heart function.  They are believed to decrease platelet aggregation (blood clotting) and prevent the accumulation of plaque (cholesterol and fat) on the walls of the arteries, which helps to increase circulation and lower blood pressure.  EPA is also thought to help maintain normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well reduce hypertension.  These factors are believed to greatly reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis, stroke and heart attack.  Compelling scientific studies meticulously document the many ways in which Omega-3 fatty Acids promote cardiac health, and this knowledge has finally made its way to the medical mainstream, such that physicians now routinely recommend fish oil for their patients with high triglycerides and heart arrhythmias.  Even the American Heart Association and other mainstream groups now endorse Omega-3 Fatty Acids for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Omega-3 is considered to be very important in brain development and improved cerebral circulation.  When found in high concentrations in the brain, Essential Fatty Acids are thought to aid in the transmission of nerve impulses, and a deficiency can lead to an impaired ability to learn and recall information.  Preliminary studies have demonstrated some promising results with the use of Omega-3 in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder, ADHA, temporary depression, aggression and other behavioral problems.  Omega-3 deficiencies have also been associated with dyslexia, violence, learning disorders and hyperactivity.  In addition, a controlled study in 1999, showed excellent results in treating bipolar disorder and in controlling mood stability. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are thought to have effects similar to the medication, lithium, in cases of bipolar disorder.

With regard to brain function, Omega-3 Fatty Acids show great promise in the area of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline in the elderly.   In studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists found that Omega-3 Fatty Acids protected against cognitive decline in a group of older men.  Scientists at the Centre for Prevention and Health Services Research in the Netherlands, calculated the intake of fish oil supplements in 210 men between 70 and 89 years of age in 1990, and then followed their cognitive status over the next five years.  At the end of the study, those taking supplements had less cognitive decline than people who didn't.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, including EPA, have been shown to modify immune response and may be of great value in alleviating inflammatory autoimmune ailments, such as rheumatoid arthritis.  It appears to work by suppressing the reaction that causes joint inflammation and has been known to relieve the pain of inflamed joints and morning stiffness.

Omega-3 Acids are believed to have a positive effect on inflammations of all kinds, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease (marked by severe inflammation and ulceration of the digestive tract), psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory autoimmune ailments.  Dermatologists recommend Omega-3 to help heal dry skin and the rough, red, scaly patches of psoriasis and eczema.   In one study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, volunteers with severe dermatitis taking high levels of Omega-3 saw a thirty percent decrease in symptoms. Psoriasis sufferers experienced similar results in other research.

Adding Omega-3 to your diet is also believed to improve the condition of skin, nails and hair. Besides being an integral part of the membranes that surround our skin cells, Omega-3— which must be obtained from diet or supplements because our bodies cannot make them—are a key component of the lubricating layer that keeps skin supple.  They also aid in the production of hormones that improve skin texture and help combat the inflammatory damage wrought by free radicals—one of the causes of wrinkles and blotchiness.  According to one study, sun-sensitive people may be significantly less prone to burning after Omega-3 supplementation.

Pursuant to anti-ageing, Omega-3 Fatty Acids are a rich source of Coenzyme Q-10, whose actions resemble those of vitamin E.   It may be an even more powerful antioxidant than vitamin E, and it plays a critical role in the production of energy in every cell of the body.  It aids circulation, stimulates the immune system, increases tissue oxygenation and is said to possess vital anti-ageing effects.

Ongoing studies indicate that we should consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids to maintain normal healthy functions and to significantly improve immune response. Omega-3 seems to activate and enhance the activity of gene p53, which may reduce the risk of serious colorectal and breast disease.   Estrogen interacts with an anti-malignancy gene known as gene p53, which is a "molecular patrolman" that ensures that genetically defective cells do not multiply. 

Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids is believed to reduce the risk that malignant disease will develop and/or spread, and it is also thought to make malignant colorectal disease more responsive to chemotherapy with certain drugs (cisplatin, dosorubicin, vincristine).

Omega-3 is also believed to be helpful in relieving the temporary discomforts associated with allergies and asthma, and is also said to support improved mental function and healthy blood sugar levels.

With regard to blood sugar levels, prevention of Type-1 diabetes as been linked to Omega-3 Fatty Acids.   A 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association  found that youngsters at high risk for developing Type-1 diabetes might be able to prevent the disease by consuming foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and high-risk children with the highest Omega-3 intake had up to a fifty-five percent reduced risk of Type-1 diabetes. Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the islet cells in the pancreas, and insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, is produced by the islet cells.  In past research, scientists discovered that Norwegian children who were regularly given cod liver oil supplements, which are rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and vitamin D, had a lower incidence of Type-1 diabetes.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are also said to be useful in cases of Candidiasis, multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease) and for weight loss regimens.

Health benefits associated with Omega-3 Fatty Acids have been widely documented. A Harvard study recalled that as early as 1980, a report first detailed Omega-3 with regard to the relative health of Greenland Eskimos, who traced their longevity to a fish-rich diet.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two(2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are not recommended for people who take anticoagulant (blood thinning) medicine (Coumarin, aspirin, etc.) or prescription heart medicine. Those who take prescription mood altering drugs should avoid Omega-3 Fatty Acids.   Speak with your doctor before taking Omega-3 Fatty Acids if you have a bleeding disorder (hemophilia, thrombocytopenia) or diabetes.  Omega-3 oils, a source of EPA, can be high in vitamin A and vitamin D, and taking more than 25,000 IU of vitamin A per day, or 800 IU of vitamin D per day is not advised while you are taking EPA.   Omega-3 Fatty Acids are not considered good in cases of liver cancer.

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