Not getting enough of the right types of fish in your diet? Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are known to play a role in neurological, immune system, heart and vision health. Mega EFA contains the highest levels of both omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA), including EPA & DHA. It has up to 300% more when compared to other products on the market. A recent study found that patients who consumed fish once or more per week had a 60% reduced risk in developing Alzheimer’s disease, compared to patients who rarely ate fish. Brain cells need adequate levels of DHA to function optimally. Also, low levels of DHA have been linked to psychological disorders, including depression.
The White House recently issued a directive to people to increase consumption of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce disease rates. Mega EFA is formulated using only pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fresh, deep sea, cold-water fish body oils, not fish liver oils. This process is the best way to concentrate and purify essential fatty acids, and guarantee safety by eliminating heavy metals or PCB contaminants.
PORTLAND, OREGON. Research carried out over the past 20 years has clearly shown that omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are essential elements in human nutrition. the primary source of DHA and EPA is fatty fish and oils from the tissues of such fish. DHA is a vital component of the phospholipids in cell membranes throughout the body, but is particularly abundant in the brain, retina, and sperm. fish oils either from whole fish or in the form of supplements have been found to aid in preventing or ameliorating coronary heart disease, stroke, lupus, nephropathy (kidney disorders), Crohn's disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis. fish oils have been found particularly effective in preventing arrhythmias and sudden death from cardiac arrest. Several studies have shown that people who eat fish once or more each week can reduce their risk of sudden cardiac death by 50-70 per cent. EPA has been found to inhibit blood clotting and EPA and DHA contained in fish oils inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. Fish oil supplementation also significantly lowers overall triglyceride and cholesterol levels without affecting the level of HDL ("good" cholesterol).
Recent research has shown that the consumption of high fat meals can initiate the development of atherosclerotic deposits. This effect can be substantially reduced by taking fish oil prior to eating such meals. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to fetal development and deficiency of DHA during gestation can lead to visual impairment and perhaps, lower intelligence quotients. In summary, omega-3 fatty acids and in particular, DHA and EPA from fish oils, are essential for human development and in the prevention and amelioration of many common disorders. [38 references]
Connor, William E. Importance of n-3 fatty acids in health and disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 71 (suppl), January 2000, pp. 171S-75S
HONOLULU, HAWAII. Dr. Joseph Pepping, a consulting pharmacist at the Kaiser Permanente, provides a comprehensive review of the many benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and their derivatives. He cites evidence that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are found in fish oils are helpful in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, diabetes, breast cancer, and arthritis. While EPA is readily synthesized in the body from alpha-linolenic acid (found in flaxseed oil) Dr. Pepping states that the synthesis of DHA is much more difficult and that DHA must be obtained directly from fish, certain algae or gree, leafy vegetables. He also points out that the body's optimal balance between omega-6 (linoleic) and omega-3 (linolenic) fatty acids is a 2:1 to 4:1 ratio. Unfortunately, the typical Western diet contains these acids in ratios of 20:1 to 25:1. An excess of omega-6 fatty acids can lead to formation of blood clots, allergic and inflammatory disorders, and the accelerated growth of certain cancer cells. Dr. Pepping recommends two servings of cold-water fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel or herring) per week, 2-4 grams of fish oil capsules per day or 15-30 ml of flaxseed oil per day as a preventive measure. He points out that it is important to add 200 IU of vitamin E to the daily diet if supplementing with fish oils. He also advises caution regarding fish oil supplementation in patients taking warfarin, heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, ticlopidine or clopidogrel.
Pepping, Joseph. Omega-3 essential fatty acids. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Vol. 56, April 15, 1999, pp. 719-24
AALBORG, DENMARK. A low degree of heart rate variability (HRV) is a very strong predictor of sudden death among survivors of a heart attack (myocardial infraction). Danish researchers now report that a high fish consumption increases the concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in cell membranes and that this increase is associated with a significant beneficial increase in HRV. Their study involved 52 patients who ate fish once a week had an 18 percent higher HRV than non-fish eaters. Fish eaters were also found to have a higher content of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) in their blood platelets. Patients with more than 3.14 per cent DHA in their platelets were found to have a 43 per cent higher HRV than patients with a DHA content of less than 2.26 per cent. The researchers also discovered that a high ratio of arachidonic acid to DHA in the platelets corresponds to a significantly lower HRV. Other research has shown that the consumption of just one fatty fish meal per week reduces the risk of primary cardiac arrest by 50 per cent.
Hagstrup Christensen, Jeppe, et al. Fish consumption, n-3 fatty acids in cell membranes, and heart rate variability in survivors of myocardial infraction with left ventricular dysfunction. American Journal of Cardiology, Vol. 79, June 15, 1997, pp. 1670-73
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. The daily consumption of fish oils (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids) can significantly lower blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension. The benefit of the fish oils is comparable to that obtainable by sodium reduction and weight loss. A group of medical researchers at the Johns Hopkins Medical School evaluated the results of 17 clinical trials involving supplementation with fish oils for periods of three months or less. They found that the consumption of 3 grams per day of fish oil (6-10 capsules) or more led to impressive reductions in the blood pressure of hypertensive individuals. Systolic pressure was lowered by an average of 5.5 mm Hg and diastolic pressure was lowered by 3.5 mm Hg. The effect was found to be more pronounced at higher blood pressures and no significant effects were noted in people with normal blood pressure. Twenty-eight percent of the participants in the trials reported side effects such as a fishy taste or belching.
The doctors suggest that fish oil supplementation may be a valuable therapy in patients with borderline hypertension who would otherwise be candidates for conventional drug therapy. They point out that the effects of long term (> 3 months) supplementation are unknown and that lower dosages than 3 g/day may be desirable and perhaps as effective. NOTE: Systolic pressure is the first (highest) reading given for a blood pressure measurement, diastolic is the second (lowest) reading, i.e. 120/80.
Appel, Lawrence j. et al. Does supplementation of diet with "fish oil" reduce blood pressure. Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 153, June 28, 1993, pp. 1429-38
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND. Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a researcher at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports in a letter to The Lancet that he has found a convincing correlation between fish consumption and the incidence of major depression. Dr. Hibbeln correlated the annual incidence of major depression per 100 people in nine countries with the consumption of fish. He found a high incidence of depression in countries with low fish consumption. New Zealand with an annual fish consumption of only 40 lbs had an annual incidence rate of depression of 5.8 per cent while Korea with a fish consumption of more that 100 lbs/year had an annual incidence rate of only 2.3 percent. Japan with a fish consumption of almost d150 lbs/year had the lowest incidence of major depression (0.12 per cent). Dr. Hibbeln cautions that various economic, social, cultural and other factors could have influenced his results, but points out that high blood plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid, and essential fatty acid found in fish, has been linked to increased serotonin turnover and lower incidences of depression and suicide.
Hibbeln, Joseph R. Fish consumption and major depression. The Lancet, Vol. 351, April 18, 1998, pp. 1213 (correspondence)
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