Super Omage-3 Natural Fish Oils With Olive Oil ( 60 SoftGels ) - item:601 S$58/-
The
latest
scientific findings of the last few decades of the last century in the
area of
nutrition produced
Because
of
the huge protective and therapeutic action of fatty acids Omega 3 and
Omega 9,
this product deserves more attention.
The
term
Omega 3 means a group of fatty acids which have been discovered in the
1970ies.
The discovery of Omega 3 has generated thousands of studies, scientific
papers,
and clinical research worldwide. Even if this is the case, still only
few
people really understand the role of Omega 3 and its mechanism of
operation in
the body. They are fundamental molecules in the structure and activity
of cell
membranes of the whole body. They have highly specialized functions in
the neurological
tissue especially in the brain and retina (brain is the fattiest organ
of the
body). Because of their role in cell membranes, Omega 3 fatty acids are
essential in the forming of new tissue, and they are very important for
growth
and development. They also have a highly important role in prevention
of
degenerative changes and premature symptoms of aging. Researchers have
shown
that Omega 3 fish oils (cod, salmon, sardine, tuna), especially from
the fish
of cold arctic seas, are not only good to lessen the pain and
inflammation, but
also prevent degeneration and deterioration of the joint cartilage.
According
to some authors, the long molecular chains of Omega 3 EPA and DHA fatty
acids
lubricate the joints. The third Omega 3 acid is found in dark leafy
vegetables,
in linseed and some other oils, in walnuts etc. With the help of
enzymes this
acid becomes FPA in the organism. All three of these acids have
different roles
and all three are necessary for good health.
Australian
researchers have proven a connection between diet and degeneration of
macula,
which is stimulated by the lack of Omega 3 in the organism. Many
studies from
the end of 20th and the beginning of 21st century point to a connection
between
cardiovascular ailments and the lack of Omega 3 in the organism. This
has been
linked for the first time in the researches done on Eskimos.
In
the case
of lack of polyunsaturated Omega 3 fatty acids, the organism uses
saturated
fatty acids to build cell membranes. The cell membranes that are thus
created
are less elastic, which negatively affects the cardiovascular system.
In
addition to this, nutritionists have come to conclusion that the ratio
between
Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids is very important. In the typical
western diet
that ratio is out of balance, in favor of Omega 6 which is found in
cereals,
margarine, fried food, wholegrain bread... This shows that there is a
high need
to supplement diet with Omega 3, which-as science has proven-helps
prevent and
treat different ailments in varied ways.
Is
monounsaturated fatty acid from olive oil. Its influence on lowering
cholesterol levels has been proved in practice, especially in peoples
who use
olive oil in their diet, for example the countries of the
In
Therapeutic
properties are especially pronounced in the following cases:
Lowering
of cholesterol in blood and thus lowering the risk of
cardiovascular problems.
Lowering
of cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries.
Prevention
of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lowering
of tryglicerides in blood, fats linked to obesity and
heart attacks as well as strokes.
Balancing
of blood pressure.
Slowing
down the growth and development of cancerous tumors.
Prevention
of blood clots, making blood cells less sticky.
In
the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.
The best results are achieved with simultaneous taking with Aloe Vera Gel.
Essential Fatty Acids, Diet and Developmental Disorders
by David Taylor
It has been estimated that between 5 and 10 percent of the
population
have behavioural difficulties with many youngsters so diagnosed
displaying
delayed language development, poor social skills and a lack of
co-ordination.
They experience failure from an early age, become isolated and may
suffer from
bullying. Such children are of average or above average intelligence,
but have
problems with spelling and handwriting even though reading may not be a
problem. In other words, these children display those �symptoms�
characterized by the term dyspraxia. This, and other conditions such as
dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and possibly
autism
in some cases have a high comorbidity (35-40%),1
making it reasonable to assume some sort of common
external influence.
An increasingly important external factor is that of nutrition.
Everything
we eat and drink is made up of chemicals, and as chemicals have a
direct impact
on both body and mind, it would seem reasonable that nutrition would
impact
upon our behaviour and our perception. One area of investigation that I
have
found to offer a good outcome for some children is that of essential
fatty
acids, because of the role they play in our development and well-being.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body and must therefore be obtained in our diet. EFAs fall into two main groups, Omega-3s and Omega-6s (although there is a group of Omega-9s which have a cholesterol- lowering effect). The Omega-6 group of oils are readily available in such foods as safflower and sunflower oil and we are therefore not likely to be deficient in them. The Omega-3s occur naturally in fish, wheat germ, flaxseed oil, nuts and seeds and to a lesser degree in navy beans and oatmeal. It can be seen then that because the mainstream western diet has excluded these sources in recent years, getting the right balance of Omega-3 EFAs has become more problematical. To see how these EFAs can help with developmental disorders we must first answer the following questions: Firstly, why are EFAs helpful? Next, where are EFAs helping? Lastly, what can we do about it?
Why are EFAs helpful?
We have long known that one of the Omega-3 oils, eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA)
strengthens the cardiovascular system, lowering a person’s
risk of developing
heart disease and helping to keep arteries clean. However recent
research has
highlighted another Omega-3 EFA, found in abundance in fish oil, called
docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, and its relationship to brain function and
vision.3
In the 1980s and 90s a considerable amount of research focused upon the importance of maternal diet and its relationship with feeding problems in new-born infants.4,5 With the increased survival rate amongst pre-term babies, it was also crucial to find a pre-term formula6 that would not disadvantage those infants who were not being breast-fed.5 Research findings demonstrated that DHA (a long-chain polyunsaturated fat) found in breast milk was the key to improving development throughout pregnancy and beyond, and in particular the crucial four-week period after birth.7,8 We know then that DHA is crucial for our development, but why?
Where
are
EFAs helping?
The human brain is 60 percent fat, of which 25 percent is DHA. This
increases
to between three and five times its normal level in the crucial growth
spurt
periods during the fifth week of pregnancy and in the last trimester.9
Crucially, DHA coats the
receptor sites of our brain cells and is a prime modulator in retinal
performance as well as specific brain functions such as memory,
attending
ability, speech, and specific motor skills; those same indicators of
neurological immaturity found in those with behavioural difficulties. A
lack of
DHA therefore manifests in varying degrees of developmental disorders.
What can we do about it?
It is certain then that DHA, an Omega-3 EFA, is crucial to us from the
moment
of conception, throughout our growth in the womb, in infancy and
beyond. We
cannot manufacture it and must therefore ensure a continuing supply in
our
diet. A lack of DHA leads to developmental immaturity that can affect
us
throughout our lives.10,11
There is, however, something that we can do about it, and studies have
shown
that increasing dietary DHA can lead to significant improvements. In
one study
involving 600 children and young adults with developmental
difficulties, it was
discovered that of those children who did not appear to follow the
usual
pattern of early development, 70% had significant feeding problems from
birth.1
As a result of this study,
many of the children and young adults subsequently used DHA supplements
in
their diets. Some parents reported immediate improvements in their
children’s
co-ordination and ability to process information. The study does give
one note
of caution; when children and adults have shown elevated levels of
electrical
activity (diagnosed epilepsy), the introduction of long-chain
polyunsaturated
fatty acids into their diets has resulted in an increased number of
seizures.
A fine study by Dr Jacqueline Story12 demonstrated the link between DHA supplementation and dyslexia in adults. For one month, dyslexic patients were given a daily dose of 480mg DHA. These patients showed a significant improvement in both dark adaptation (night vision) and central processing performance.
Such studies demonstrate that we can do something to help
redress the
balance when things go wrong. There is a strong causal link between the
Omega-3
group of EFAs, our development and our well-being. Dietary DHA has been
shown
to give significant improvements to co-ordination and the ability to
process
information.1
Further,
the addition of EPA and vitamin E has been shown to enhance the effects
of DHA.12
Research also shows the
importance of a good, clean source of these essential fatty acids and
vitamins.
When choosing a supplement, try to find one that contains high levels
of DHA,
and in addition contains EPA and vitamin E. In this way you will ensure
a
balanced in
Case
Study
Christopher is 8 years old. He was born at 37 weeks
and weighed 8lb 9oz. As Christopher was demanding to be fed every 2
hours, his
mother was advised to stop breast-feeding after 3 weeks.
Since then Christopher had regular antibiotics as an infant for ear
infections,
spells of wheezing but was not asthmatic, occasional outbreaks of mild
eczema,
an allergy to strawberries and an overall sensitive digestive system.
Early
attempts at dietary intervention included a few foods diet. This caused
great
stress to Christopher’s body with no clear outcome.
Christopher also has a history of hyperactivity, poor concentration,
aggressive
and disruptive behaviour (including swearing) and finds it difficult to
cope
with groups. He has no difficulty with fine or gross motor
co-ordination, has a
reading age (accuracy and comprehension) well above his chronological
age and
his numeracy skills, although slightly low, are within the average
range of
ability.
He has been diagnosed as having ‘Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder’
(ADHD) and has been treated with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride
(Ritalin) since
1997. I saw Christopher and his mum in August 1999 and we
discussed his
diet, moods, stress factors and well-being at some length. Christopher
has a
sweet tooth, and although his diet is very good there are some food
items that
could be eliminated or reduced. As well as a suspected leaky gut,
Christopher
demonstrated possible allergic reactions to as yet unidentified food
sources
(apart from the strawberries). I say ‘possible’
because I did not want to
ignore the possibility of stress factors.I recommended that three areas
should be addressed: First a detox in order address a leaky gut, the
possibility of Candida
albicans
and to enable the gut to absorb nutrients more efficiently. Second,
small
dietary changes to eliminate the main allergens, control blood sugars
and
improve the gut. Third, supplements to balance the immune system,
increase the
amount of essential nutrients from a known clean source and, most
importantly,
boost the in
Detox: To
gently cleanse Christopher’s gut and enable it to work
more efficiently I gave aloe-vera gel, starting at 1 teaspoon twice a
day and
building up to 1 tablespoon twice a day. I use a pure, organic
aloe-vera gel as
I find that the juices are not sufficiently concentrated to be
effective. (This
needs careful monitoring and the amount should be reduced and then
slowly
increased if stools get too loose).Water in
Diet: Eliminate dairy products as much as
possible and remove ‘fast
releasing carbohydrates’ including sugar, grapes, sweet
drinks and very refined
foods such as white bread and breakfast cereals (rapid sugar jolts
contribute
greatly to hyperactivity). Increase in
Supplements: Essential fatty acids DHA and EPA with vitamin E (an antioxidant which prevents the breakdown of essential fatty acids). I use 1 high dose capsule from a guaranteed clean source (containing 150mg DHA, 225mg EPA with added vitamin E) three times a day. In addition Christopher was placed on a children’s bioavailable multivitamin and mineral formula and a dose of phytonutrients which include green barley, alfalfa and wheatgrass.
Monitoring: Christopher was asked to fill in a ‘feelings’ chart several times a day and his handwriting, moods and concentration span were monitored (see example).
Outcome: The first thing that Christopher’s parents noticed was a drastic reduction in swearing (within 1 week). He now tolerates some foods which would normally have upset his ‘sensitive bowel’ (within 3 months). His handwriting started and continues to improve as does his concentration span. Christopher reports feeling better in himself and is enjoying organic food. Minimizing those fast sugar-releasing carbohydrates has helped reduce his mood swings.
Conclusion: Christopher is a sensitive, intelligent child with a good sense of humour and very caring parents. A holistic look at diet (lack of DHA in diet, inefficient and sensitive gut, blood sugar balance, boost in immune system, mood swings) has given Christopher and his parents more control over ADHD and a better understanding of what they can do to help overcome it.
