Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition

 

Newsletter #100 --- More good news on the incredible nutrient - Omega 3 fatty acids

 

Omega 3 fatty acids has been extensively studied and proved to be greatly beneficial to our overall health.

Omega 3 fatty acids promotes a healthy heart, reduces joint pain and inflammation, improves brain function and reduces cancer rate.

Omega 3 fatty acids, therefore very much improves our Quality of Life.

 

The following studies have been published in recent months on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil). These studies further demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids must be included in a healthy diet. The incredible benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids cannot be over-emphasized.

 

"Chest" April, 2005 edition.

Researchers from Atlanta, Georgia, Boston, Massachusetts and Mexico studied the effects of fish oil and soy oil on cardiac rhythm. 58 older patients were randomized to receive 2 grams a day of fish oil or 2 grams a day of soy oil for eleven weeks. This study showed that the group receiving fish oil experienced an improvement in heart rate variability leading to a decreased risk of sudden death in just over 2 1/2 weeks. It takes over eight weeks for the soy oil group to notice improvement in heart rate variability. Although soy oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, it is not to the same concentration as fish oil.

 

"American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" April, 2005 edition.

At the University of California, San Diego, researchers studied the dietary intake of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids in 1,500 men and women over four years. This study showed that a higher intake ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a reduction in bone mineral density at the hip-a clear risk factor for osteoporosis. Sadly, in this country, we consume an excessive amount of omega-6 over omega-3 fatty acids. The researchers concluded that a more balanced intake of omega-3 to omega-6 could prevent osteoporoses.

 

"Archives of Internal Medicine" April, 2005 edition

This most extensive study was published on the effect of different lipid-lowering agents and diets on mortality. This study provides 11,000 clinical trials done between 1965 and June 2003 (97 were randomized, controlled clinical trials) involving over 275,000 individuals. The studies reviewed the effects of lipid-lowering agents - the statins (Zocor, Pravachol, etc.), fibrates, bile acid-binding resins, niacin, diet and omega-3 fatty acids. Results showed that the omega-3 fatty acids decreased overall mortality by 23% versus statin drugs lowered overall mortality by only13%. Omega-3 fatty acids were almost twice as powerful at reducing death as the statins. The other drugs studied had little or no effect on mortality. The statin drugs have clear side effects such as serious muscle, nerve and liver damage. It is clear that omega-3 fatty acids are the best at lowering mortality rate over the long term. Their life-saving effects were found in ways other than lowering your cholesterol. Statins were actually better at lowering cholesterol. The overall total cholesterol lowering for statins in the meta-analysis was about 20%, while the omega-3 fatty acids on average only lowered it by about 2%. However, omega-3 fatty acids almost doubled your chances of decreasing mortality. The beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids appear to be anti-arrhythmic, anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory on the lining of the artery walls.

 

"American Association of Neurological Surgeons" Annual Meeting in New Orleans, March 2005.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be incredibly effective at reducing joint pain.

Adult patients who were being treated for chronic neck or back pain were asked to supplement daily with two softgels providing 1,200 mg of omega-3 essential fatty acids. After 2 1/2 months, 80% of patients were satisfied with the improvement they experienced with the supplementation, 60% of patients reported a reduction of joint pain. 59% discontinued taking prescription pain medication or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

 

"American Association of Cancer Research" in Anaheim, California, April, 2005.

This study involved 908 smokers who are prone to develop cancer and heart disease. Earlier research has indicated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk of cancer. Four hundred fifty four people who had developed oral cancer over twenty years were compared with 454 people who did not develop this cancer. Of these 908 people, 277 of them used NSAIDs daily for at least six months. It was found that there was a 2/3 lowered risk of developing oral cancer in those individuals who took NSAIDs. This looks like good news at first glance. However, the overall death rate were not lower. Carefull analysis revealed that while NSAIDs taken on a regular basis for at least six months lowered oral cancer incidents, they also increased the risk of dying from a heart attack, stroke or other heart related problem by 200%.

The risk appeared to be highest among ibuprofen (Advil) users where there was nearly three times greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than from non-NSAIDs users. Again, it is clear that there is much increased risk of cardiovascular disease, not only from the Cox-2 inhibitors (Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex), but from these Cox-1 inhibitors as well.

 

Conclusions

If you are not taking Omega-3 fatty acid, I strongly urge you to do so immediately. Omega-3 fatty acids simply provide you and your family numerous overwhelming benefits.

Fish oil Opti-DHA is a rich source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oils protect against heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, stroke, cancer and inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Important life saving protective mechanisms of Omega-3 fatty acid include thinning the blood, preventing blood clots, and being converted into less inflammatory prostaglandins and reducing inflammation.

Cold water fish like salmon and sardines are the best sources of fish oil. However, many fish now have high levels of heavy metals and toxins. Molecularly-distilled fish oil is much safer because it is free from heavy metals and toxins. I strongly recommend Opti-DHA.

 

Other References

  1. Fenton WS, Dickerson F, Boronow J, et al. A placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acid (ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid) supplementation for residual symptoms and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 2001;158:2071-4.
  2. Navarro E, Esteve M, Olivé A, et al. Abnormal fatty acid pattern in rheumatoid arthritis. A rationale for treatment with marine and botanical lipids. J Rheumatol 2000;27:298-303.
  3. Maes M, Christophe A, Bosmans E, et al. In humans, serum polyunsaturated fatty acid levels predict the response of proinflammatory cytokines to psychological stress. Biol Psychiatry 2000;47:910-20.
  4. Donadio JV Jr, Grande JP, Bergstralh EJ, et al. The long-term outcome of patients with IgA nephropathy treated with fish oil in a controlled trial. Mayo Nephrology Collaborative Group. J Am Soc Nephrol 1999;10:1772-7.
  5. Maes M, Christophe A, Delanghe J, et al. Lowered omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters of depressed patients. Psychiatry Res 1999;85:275-91.
  6. von Schacky C, Angerer P, Kothny W, et al. The effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1999;130:554-62.
  7. Burns CP, Halabi S, Clamon GH, et al. Phase I clinical study of fish oil fatty acid capsules for patients with cancer cachexia: cancer and leukemia group B study 9473. Clin Cancer Res 1999;5:3942-7.
  8. Edwards R, Peet M, Shay J, Horrobin D. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in the diet and in red blood cell membranes of depressed patients. J Affect Disord 1998;48:149-55.
  9. Peet M, Murphy B, Shay J, Horrobin D. Depletion of omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes of depressive patients. Biol Psychiatry 1998;43:315-9.
  10. Alexander JW. Immunonutrition: the role of omega-3 fatty acids.Nutr 1998;14:627-33.
  11. Dunstan DW, Burke V, Mori TA, et al. The independent and combined effects of aerobic exercise and dietary fish intake on serum lipids and glycemic control in NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1997; 20:913-21.
  12. Nair SSD, Leitch JW, Falconer J, Garg ML. Prevention of cardiac arrhythmia by dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids and their mechanism of action. J Nutr 1997;127:383-93.
  13. Peck LW. Essential fatty acid deficiency in renal failure: can supplements really help? J Am Diet Assoc 1997;97:5150-3.
  14. Sheehan JP, Wei IW, Ulchaker M, Tserng KY. Effect of high fiber intake in fish oil-treated patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 66:1183-7.
  15. Adler AJ, Holub BJ. Effect of garlic and fish-oil supplementation on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 65:445-50.
  16. Maes M, Smith R, Christophe A, et al. Fatty acid composition in major depression: decreased omega 3 fractions in cholesteryl esters and increased C20: 4 omega 6/C20:5 omega 3 ratio in cholesteryl esters and phospholipids. J Affect Disord 1996;38:35-46.
  17. Laugharne JDE, Mellor JE, Peet M. Fatty acids and schizophrenia.Lipids 1996;31:S163-5.
  18. Kremer JM, Lawrence DA, Petrillow GF, et al. Effects of highdose fish oil on rheumatoid arthritis after stopping nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Arthritis Rheum 1995;38:1107-14.
  19. Gonzalez MJ. Fish oil, lipid peroxidation and mammary tumor growth. J Am Coll Nutr 1995;14:325.
  20. Toft I, Bonaa KH, Ingebretsen OC, et al. Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on glucose homeostasis and blood pressure in essential hypertension. Ann Intern Med 1995;123:911-8.
  21. Luostarinen R, Wallin R, Wibell L, et al. Vitamin E supplementation counteracts the fish oil-induced increase of blood glucose in humans. Nutr Res 1995; 15:953-68.
  22. Zhu ZR, Mannisto JAS, Pietinene P, et al. Fatty acid composition of breast adipose tissue in breast cancer patients and patients with benign breast disease. Nutr Cancer 1995;24:151-60.
  23. Belluzzi A, Brignola C, Campieri M, et al. Effects of new fish oil derivative on fatty acid phospholipid-membrane pattern in a group of Crohn's disease patients. Dig Dis Sci 1994;39:2589-94.
  24. Donadio JV Jr, Bergstrahl EJ, Offord KP, et al. A controlled trial of fish oil in IgA nephropathy. N Engl J Med 1994;331:1194-9.
  25. Shahar E, Folsom AR, Melnick SL, et al. Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study Investigators. N Engl J Med 1994;331:228-33.
  26. Malasanos TH, Stacpoole PW. Biological effects of omega-3 fatty acids in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 1991;14:1160-79.
  27. Mate J, Castanos R, Garcia-Samaniego J, Pajares JM. Does dietary fish oil maintain the remission of Crohn's disease: a case control study. Gastroenterology 1991;100:A228 [abstract].
  28. DiGiacoma RA, Kremer JM, Shah DM. Fish-oil dietary supplementation in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon: a double-blind, controlled, prospective study. Am J Med 1989;86:158-64.
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  30. Schectman G, Kaul S, Kassebah AH. Effect of fish oil concentrate on lipoprotein composition in NIDDM. Diabetes 1988; 37:1567-73.

 

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Dr. Tsang wishes to share his knowledge & Opinion with the public regarding the importance of " Nutritional Supplements ". This is for your information only. Drugs have powerful effects on the body, so please don't abruptly stop taking any prescription medication. Always consult your physician or health care provider before you use any nutritional supplement or switch from drugs to natural health products. 

 

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