Omega-3 Research
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Kurinami Shigeru Kumagai, Naoko Hayashi, Hideki Hayashida, Yoshiko Sato, Masayuki Yamaguchi, Akira Kajiwara, Keizo Nonaka, Kyohei "Effects of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and/or Lecithin on the Plasma Concentrations of Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Triglyceride (VLDL) and Ketone Bodies in Humans." The Kurume Medical Journal. Pp. 7176 Vol. 35 1988.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Diabetics Prone to Atherosclerosis
A study found that an ingestion of EPA, an Omega-3 fatty acid, prevented the acceleration of lipogenesis and ketogenesis process' that can contribute to high triglyceride concentrations as well as high cholesterol concentrations. Ketone, a substance produced in the body through a normal change within the liver was measured with VLDL cholesterol concentrations and triglyceride concentrations in this clinically controlled study on the effects of EPA (an Omega-3 fatty acid), linoleic acid (LA), and Lecithin (LC) in Japan.
Lecithin is any group of phosphorus rich fats, common in plants and animals (egg yolk, soybean, corn, etc), and found in nerves, the liver, bile and blood. They are essential for transforming fats in the body. A deficiency of lecithin could lead to liver and kidney disorders and in the interest of this study, high serum cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, and arteriosclerosis.
The study divided the subjects into four groups A, B, C, & D. Group D received a combination of fatty acids, EPA, LC, and LA. This yielded promising results for subjects with diabetes who are prone to atherosclerosis. Results from B & C indicated that triglyceride concentrations could be increased through an accelerated lipogenesis. Group B was administered linoleic acid, LA, and lecithin LC while C was given linoleic acid and EPA. The study concluded that a dietary combination of EPA, LA, and LC would prevent atherosclerosis while diets that primarily consist of linoleic acid and lecithin can have inverse effects on VLDL concentrations.
Since a diet in accordance with RDA standards already supplies ample quantities of LA and LC through various foods, a singular supplementation of Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA, on a regular basis, would only be required to produce similar results to this study.
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