Omega-3 Oils

HISTORY: Used for medicinal purposes, Omega-3 oils date back to the 18th century (if not earlier).

OMEGA-3 OILS are not made by the body. So you need to get them from your diet and supplements. There are three main types of Omega-3s: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Each has a different function and, therefore, a different benefit.

• ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)  - These oils come primarily from plants like flaxseed, canola, soybean, chia seeds, walnut, and mustard seed oil. This makes them ideal for plant-based diets. APA is a precursor to EPA and DHA, but conversion is inefficient (less than 10%)
  Beneficial for heart health and antioxidant support. An important supplement for
  vegans and vegetarians. The body can convert this to EPA and DHA but often this conversion is not enough to supply the body with effective amounts of DHA and EPA 

• EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) - This is found in fatty fish (like salmon, trout, herring, tuna, cod liver, sardines, shellfish (mussels, crabs, and oysters), and krill. It is beneficial for heart health, regulates mood and reduces inflammation, and may help with joint pain

• DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)  This oil also comes from fatty fish (salmon, trout, herring, tuna, cod liver, sardines), shellfish (mussels, crabs and oysters), and krill algal oil (vegan source).  This is good for the brain, eyes, and nervous system health; in fact, it is the most abundant omega-3 in the brain and retina. It is critical for cognitive function, memory, and visual development.

POTENTIAL USES

Omega-3 oils have many important benefits-

Respiratory: Asthma (EPA), pneumonia (EPA and DHA), lung disease (EPA and DHA), seasonal allergies (EPA)

Eyes: Helps decrease retinal diseases (DHA), dry eyes (DHA and EPA), cataracts (DHA and possibly EPA), glaucoma (EPA and DHA), and age-related macular degeneration - AMD (DHA and EPA)

Gastrointestinal: Stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) (EPA and DHA), possibly inflammatory bowel disease (EPA and DHA), possibly pancreatitis (EPA and DHA), an inherited disorder called phenylketonuria (DHA), may be supportive in Crohn's disease (DHA and EPA), and obesity (EPA and DHA), may help with the inflammation in cirrhosis (EPA and DHA)

Cardiovascular: May help reduce blood pressure (EPA and DHA), reduce cardiovascular disease (questionable in those with a healthy heart but may help those with preexisting conditions) (EPA and DHA), Raynauds (EPA), preventing heart disease or stroke (EPA and DHA) or atherosclerosis (EPA and DHA), as well as for clogged arteries, may improve angina (chest pain), (EPA and DHA), irregular heartbeat (EPA and DHA), recovery from bypass surgery (EPA and DHA), heart failure (EPA and DHA), rapid heartbeat or tachycardia (DHA), helps prevent blood clots (EPA), helps lower triglycerides (esp) and LDLs (both bad cholesterols (EPA and DHA) and increases HDL (good cholesterol)(DHA)

GU: Helps chronic kidney disease (EPA and DHA), kidney failure (DHA and EPA), and kidney complications related to diabetes (EPA and DHA), Berger's disease (IgA nephropathy)(EPA and DHA)

Musculoskeletal: Reduces inflammation (EPA and DHA), rheumatoid arthritis (EPA and DHA), and osteoarthritis (EPA and DHA support joint cartilage). , decrease joint and muscle pain and inflammation (EPA and DHA), osteoporosis - may support bone density (DHA and EPA), exercise performance (EPA and DHA), muscle recovery (DHA and EPA), It may increase muscle strength and endurance (EPA and DHA), and dyspraxia (EPA and DHA).

Skin: Decreases acne (EPA), eczema (EPA and DHA), psoriasis (EPA and DHA), and pressure ulcers - promotes wound healing (EPA and DHA)

Cholesterol: Decreases triglycerides (EPA), increases HDL (DHA)

Glucose: May help reduce blood sugar (EPA and DHA)

Immunity: Supports immunity (EPA and DHA)

Cancer: Decreased risk of colon cancer (EPA) and breast cancer (DHA), and endometrial cancer (EPA and DHA). Not a cancer treatment - can be used as an adjunct or for prevention.

Neurologic: It may help decrease migraines - including migraines (DHA and EPA), some anti-seizure activity (DHA), slow Alzheimer's (DHA and EPA), ADHD (EPA and DHA), improve cognitive function in the elderly-reducing cognitive decline (DHA and EPA), possibly reduces chronic fatigue (DHA and EPA), and autism (DHA and EPA), and may improve reading skills (DHA and EPA). It is protective of the brain (DHA - primary player in neuroplasticity and neurotransmission balance). May help reduce seizure activity (DHA and EPA).

Mental Health: Helps protect brain structure and function (DHA). It may decrease depression (EPA) and anxiety (EPA and DHA), decrease psychosis and schizophrenia (EPA), bipolar disorder (EPA and DHA), and possibly reduce post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (EPA and DHA).  Again, DHA - plays a huge role in neuroplasticity and neurotransmission. 

Infectious Disease: HIV/AIDS (EPA and DHA), Lyme disease (EPA and DHA)

Other: Weight loss (may improve metabolism and increase insulin sensitivity) (EPA and DHA), thins the blood (EPA), lupus (EPA and DHA), MS (ALA, EPA, DHA), possibly cystic fibrosis (EPA and DHA), sickle cell (EPA and DHA)

Side Effects: Taste/breath (fishy), upset stomach, belching, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, increased blood sugar, increased bleeding, hypotension/decreased blood pressure, reflux, Vitamin A toxicity, insomnia, flu-like symptoms, infection, back pain, generalized body pain, rash/itching, chest pain, increased liver enzyme ALT/AST, may increase LDL, heart irregularities

Cautions/Contraindications: Some fish and shellfish allergies, caution with blood thinners, liver disease/dysfunction, atrial fib/flutter, citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline, beta-blockers (decrease efficiency of Omega 3’s with lowering cholesterol) anti-inflammatories/NSAIDs (may increase blood thinning), penicillins, estrogens (decreases cholesterol-lowering effect of Omega 3’s) and others - see Mayo Clinic information.

FORMS: Liquids, capsules, pills

Note: The olive oil that tends to have the most health benefits is extra virgin olive oil. The"light taste" of olive oils tends to be from more processed oils. Krill oil tends to have more Omega-3, is reportedly as efficacious as extra virgin olive oil, and is more easily absorbed.

RECOMMENDED BRANDS

Carlson® Maximum Omega 2,000 (also contains omega-7) (link TBD)

Garden of Life® Dr. Formulated Advanced Omega (link TBD)

DOSAGE: As directed

The following are reported doses and may NOT be supported by evidence (reported by various sources, i.e., WebMD, RxList, Epocrates, ConsumerLabs, German Commission E, NIH publications, and others). Read dosages and instructions carefully when available on the label. If you have a serious cardiovascular condition or high triglycerides, discuss the use of Omega-3s with a healthcare provider.

• General: 1- 4 gm daily (possibly more depending on the condition)