American Heart Association Recommendation

People who have elevated triglycerides may need 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA per day provided as a supplement.

Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fatty acid from fish oil fights arrhythmias, sudden death Daily supplements of a fatty acid found in fish oil halves the risk of sudden death in heart attack survivors, researchers report in today's Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Omega-3's for Atherosclerosis

The progression of atherosclerosis (hardening and thickening of the arteries) can be delayed significantly, and possibly even reversed, with a sound understanding of the processes involved. Key features of the process include damage to blood vessels (the initiating event), immune cell involvement (autoimmune aspects of the process- the body’s own immune system working against us!), and oxidative modification of key molecules (oxidant stress as a key driving force behind the progression of atherosclerosis!).

Damage to blood vessels occurs through a variety of processes. High blood pressure, smoking, poor diet, obesity, excessive alcohol intake are all directly responsible for causing the initiating events of atherosclerosis. The result is a physical injury to the interior surface of arteries.

The next step in the process occurs when circulating monocytes (a cell of the immune system) recognize the injured blood vessel, and migrate to it. Once at the sight of injury, the monocytes make the damaged artery their home, and begin to accumulate oxidatively damaged LDL cholesterol. More monocytes arrive at the site of injury and likewise begin to take up LDL cholesterol. Therefore, monocytes imbedded within the artery lining which have accumulated LDL cholesterol form the “fatty streak”. As these processes progress, the fatty streak becomes the atherosclerotic PLAQUE.

Omega-3 oils, and specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are capable of significantly impacting this process. How certain dietary lipids impact this process will be reviewed below:

Cytokines are hormone- like molecules produced by cells of the immune system. Specific to the process of atherosclerosis, monocytes produce cytokines as a means of attracting more monocytes to the site of vascular injury. Therefore, “inflammatory” cytokines (derived from Arachidonic Acid- AA) drive the process of atherosclerosis.

AA is the predominant lipid used to synthesize cytokines. There are alternatives however- most notably EPA. Unless we frequently consume fish, or take an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement, the levels of EPA within monocytes will be very low. Taking an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement results in a 100%+ increase in monocyte content of EPA!

The cytokines produced from EPA (as opposed to AA) do not attract additional monocytes to the site of injury. They in fact oppose the action of AA- derived cytokines, resulting in a significant anti- inflammatory effect. The result is a significant delay in the progression of atherosclerotic plaque formation.

The ability of EPA to inhibit inflammatory processes via production of anti inflammatory cytokines forms the basis for Omega-3 supplements benefiting arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease (colitis, Chron’s, Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

These processes also impact mood and behavior. Depressed individuals, as well as individuals suffering from behavior disorders (ADD/ ADHD) have increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in their blood. Omega-3 supplementation reduces levels of these molecules in the blood. This has been proposed as a significant basis as to how Omega-3 oils benefit mood and behavior.

OmegaBrite is a 100% Natural Advanced high EPA Omega-3 Formula