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Opti-DHA
Enteric-Coated Softgels for Cardiovascular Health
Size 60 softgels
Ingredient per two enteric-coated softgels
Marine Lipid Concentrate 1,000mg, Yielding:
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 450mg
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 150mg
Direction
Adults take 2 softgel capsules daily with meals or as directed by physician.
Side Effect
No adverse side effects reported.
Warning
Keep out of reach of children
About Opti-DHA
Different from most fish oils available in the market place which contain more EPA than DHA. Opti-DHA contains 450 mg of DHA and 150 mg of EPA in each two enteric-coated softgels. The Fish oil used by Douglas Laboratories in Opti-DHA is taken from clean, unpolluted waters and prepared using a molecular distillation method that serves to eliminate heavy metals and other potential contamination. The fish used to create this fish oil products come mostly from the cold waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is the highest quality available and has gone through an extensive molecular distillation process to ensure the best possible product. Opti-DHA is enteric-coated, significantly reducing the "fishy" taste sometimes associated with marine lipid supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acid EPA is the direct precursor for the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins E1 and E3, whereas DHA is of primary importance for the structural integrity of neuronal membranes. DHA is essential for brain and visual development and is vital throughout pregnancy to support fetal brain growth and formation of the retina and visual cortex. Low levels of DHA may adversely influence behavior and mental performance and have been correlated with changes in disposition, memory loss, and visual and other neurological conditions.
These omega-3 fatty acids keep blood triglycerides in check (high triglycerides are generally linked with increased risk of heart disease) and may inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis. Fish oil appears to modestly raise the levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. Additionally, it may help the heart by "thinning" the blood and by reducing blood levels of homocysteine. Blood clots play a major role in heart attacks, and homocysteine is an amino acid that appears to raise the risk of heart disease.
The reasons for the dramatic benefits with respect to heart disease may he related to the ability of fish oil to reduce inflammation, a process intricately involved in the progression of atherosclerosis.1 Researchers believe that the body's inflammatory response to certain factors, along with a fatty diet, can increase the amount of plaque in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. Studies indicate that EPA and DHA can act as precursors for the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins E1 and E3, and decrease the formation of pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane A2. Omega- 3 fatty acids may be able to modify sodium channels by binding to the channel proteins. This could then prevent ischemia-induced ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.
EPA and DHA, lower blood pressure, according to an analysis of 31 trials. Trials using over 3 grams per day of omega-3 reported significant reductions in blood pressure. One double-blind trial reported that DHA had greater effects on blood pressure than EPA or mixed fish oil supplements.
Clinical Studies
One landmark study 17
, the GISSI-Prevention Trial, involved over 11,000 people who had already survived myocardial infarction. This was the first large scale trial that showed supplementation of essential fatty acids significantly lowered the risk of death. This trial used a supplement with a ratio of DHA to EPA of approximately 2:1. This is important to note, as most fish oil products contain more EPA than DHA.Fish oil is used to help people with various inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn's disease 2
and rheumatoid arthritis.3 Fish oil supplementation helps some people with kidney diseases 4 5 6 and help protect against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 7 A double-blind trial found that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil helped to treat people with Raynaud's disease.9 Schizophrenia is linked with abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism, and preliminary research suggests that fish oil supplementation may be helpful to people with schizophrenia.10EPA and DHA also modulate immune function,11
probably as a result of their effect on prostaglandin production. Perhaps as a result of this effect, fish oil has helped prevent some types of cancer in animals 12 13 14 and humans,15 although this evidence remains preliminary. Preliminary evidence also shows that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may help regulate the rhythm of the heart. EPA and DHA have been reported to help prevent cardiac arrhythmias.16References
1. 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.
2. 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].
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Peck LW. Essential fatty acid deficiency in renal failure: can supplements really help? J Am Dietet Assoc 1997;97:5150-3.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Laugharne JDE, Mellor JE, Peet M. Fatty acids and schizophrenia.Lipids 1996;31:S163-5.
11. Alexander JW. Immunonutrition: the role of omega-3 fatty acids.Nutr 1998;14:627-33.
12. Braden LM, Carroll KK. Dietary polyunsaturated fat in relation to mammary carcinogenesis in rats. Lipids 1986;21(4):285.
13. O'Connor TP, Roebuck BD, Peterson F, et al. Effect of dietary intake of fish oil and fish protein on the development of L-azaserine-induced preneoplastic lesions in the rat pancreas. J Natl Cancer Inst 1985;75:959-62.
14. Gonzalez MJ. Fish oil, lipid peroxidation and mammary tumor growth. J Am Coll Nutr 1995;14:325.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E after myocardial infarction: results of the GISSI-Prevenzione trial. Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell'Infarto miocardico. Lancet. 1999;354:447-455
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Disclaimer
This is a statement of nutritional support. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to medically diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your health care provider before using any supplement.