Of all the health supplements that may be ingested, essential fatty
acids (EFAs) are among the most beneficial and important. Without these
essential fats, the heart and brain become less efficient, and a general
predisposition to degenerative processes can occur.
Furthermore, those eating a typical domestic diet tend to have grossly
inadequate intakes of the most important EFAs. Correction of this intake
pattern can improve mental and cardiac function, reduce inflammatory
processes, and support cellular regeneration throughout the body
The two main classes of EFAs are omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs. Among
their many important functions, EFAs are used to make powerful short
acting hormones known as eicosanoids. Omega-6 EFAs tend to generate
pro-inflammatory hormones, whereas omega-3 EFAs are used to make
hormones that reduce inflammatory processes. The optimum ratio for
balance of these effects is felt to be approximately 1:1. However, most
foods supplying EFAs in the U.S. diet have a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3
EFAs typically in a 6-20:1 ratio. This means that most diets are not
only deficient in omega-3 EFAs the ratio of EFAs that are ingested tends
to fuel inflammatory processes in the body.
There are several forms of omega-3 EFAs that differ in their
biological effects and benefits. Omega-3 EFAs are distributed heavily
throughout cell membranes in the body and help make the membranes more
fluid. Omega-3 EFAs with two double bonds increase fluidity the least,
with fluidity increasing with each double bond added, up to a maximum of
6. Fluidity of cell membranes is essential for cell regeneration,
detoxification, and optimal receptor function. Membrane fluidity is
especially important for efficiency of brain performance. According to
Dr. Joseph R Hibbeln of the National Institutes of Health, "You
can amplify message transmission across the synapses a thousand-fold by
altering fat membrane consistency."
In other words, the difference between consuming congealed fats like
lard and margarine that stiffen brain membranes and ingesting sufficient
amounts of omega-3 EFAs can increase brain efficiency by orders of
magnitude. As reviewed in "Your Miracle Brain" by Jean Carper,
scientific studies have associated an insufficient intake of omega-3
EFAs with the following: depression, memory problems, low intelligence,
learning disorders, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia,
dementia, irritability, poor vision, inattention, alcoholism, lack of
concentration, hostility, aggression, and several degenerative
neurologic diseases.
By far the most powerful EFA for enhancing membrane fluidity, the "
king of omega-3 EFAs for the brain, " is DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid.
With 6 double bonds, it has the lowest melting point, and confers the
highest degrees of membrane fluidity of all the omega-3 EFAs. It is so
important for optimum brain function that in a healthy brain,
fully 50% of the lipid content is in the form of DHA.
As described by Dr. Michael Crawford of the University of North
London, an eminent authority on brain nutrition, the hominid brain was
stuck for millions of years at a mere pound. Then, over the last million
years, an evolutionary eyeblink, brain capacity expanded rapidly in our
prehistoric ancestors that began to eat substantial quantities of DHA
rich fish. This intake of DHA is felt to be the nutritional stimulus
that tripled our brain capacity and supported the rise of human
civilization.
It is strongly recommended that DHA be supplemented during
pregnancy and lactation because of the importance of DHA to the
developing brain. Breast fed infants have been found to score 5
points higher in IQ tests as breast milk has 30 times the DHA than in
formula milk. It is advised that supplementation begin well before
pregnancy as it may take 3-4 years to saturate DHA to optimum levels in
tissues.
Animal studies further emphasize the profound role of DHA in brain
function. If young rats were given a high DHA diet, 100% were successful
in learning a task within 3 sessions. In contrast, if young rats were
given a DHA deficient diet, only 30-40% learned the same task even if
given 20 sessions.
The use of DHA has been found to increase serotonin levels in the
brain, the feel good hormone. Through improved nerve receptor
function DHA may also support enhanced function and balance of other
neurotransmitters, the molecules nerve cells use to talk to each other.
Using DHA has been associated with improvement in depression, mania, and
even schizophrenia. There is also evidence to suggest that giving DHA
may improve performance in dyslexia and other learning disorders. In
addition, clinical studies have shown significantly reduced irritability
and hostility in stressful situations when DHA was supplemented. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is similar to DHA and is much more
easily converted to DHA than the shorter omega-3 EFAs with fewer double
bonds as those prevalent in flax oil. With five double bonds, EPA
increases membrane fluidity nearly to the same degree as DHA and has
also shown significant benefits for neurologic function. In establishing
the balance with omega-6 EFAs to reduce a tendency to excessive
inflammatory hormones, EPA may be as or more important than DHA.
Clinical studies using EPA and DHA have shown the ability to
reduce inflammation significantly in arthritis. These EFAs have also
been shown to reduce the tendency of blood to clot with protective
effects for the entire cardiovascular system. In addition, omega-3 EFAs
may improve cholesterol fractions in the blood. Use of EPA/DHA has also
been shown to enhance the function of the immune system. In addition, a
recent study using high levels of EPA/DHA intake showed a significant
improvement in the performance of athletes with exercise induced asthma.
The EPA and DHA in our formulation is the most highly purified of any we
have examined, rigorously quality controlled to be free of mercury and
organic pollutants. Unlike other EPA/DHA capsules that cause the burping
of a strong fishy odor, these capsules rarely cause this reaction, and
if so, it is usually very mild in comparison.
The EPA and DHA in this formula are highly purified. Rigorous
quality control to ensure the formula is free of mercury and organic
pollutants. Unlike other EPA/DHA capsules that cause the burping of
strong fishy odor, these capsules rarely cause this reaction, and if so,
it is usually very mild in comparison.
Suggested Usage: The recommended daily intake of DHA is 300mg, an amount felt sufficient
to support general health needs even during pregnancy and lactation. For
supporting brain chemistry with major neurologic or mental disorders, up
to 5 times this amount have been used safely and effectively.
The basic recommendation is well achieved with 3 capsules, which
provides 360mg of DHA and 540mg of EPA.
There are few more cost effective ways to improve your health and
function than in ingesting adequate amounts of the Essential Fatty
Acids.
Over
15 years experience offering high quality products and dependable
personal customer service. We are helping people help themselves.
