DHA & EPA Omega-3 Fatty Acids From Fish Oil

More great news on the benefits of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids!

Filling your dinner plate with fish, at least twice a week, may be one of the best changes you can make to your diet. Evidence continues to mount for the many health benefits of regular fish consumption, from a properly-pumping heart to strong, capable bones to a happy, more positive outlook on life.

Fish, especially those harvested from cold waters, contain the omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA's) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These nutrients are "essential" because they're necessary for proper growth and development, yet they can't be produced by the body itself, but rather must be obtained through dietary sources.

Health Benefits of Omega-3's

Besides being crucial for fetal and infant brain development, and cellular health throughout life, research suggests omega-3 EFA's offer remarkable benefits for cardiovascular wellness. These benefits were first recognized decades ago when researchers identified that Inuit (Eskimo) cultures, whose diets were rich in fish, showed very little incidence of cardiovascular complication.

Today, the American Heart Association (AHA) urges men and women to eat fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon, or to supplement with fish oil in capsule form, to maintain heart health. A Scientific Statement was released by the AHA summarizing findings from randomized, controlled clinical trials showing the many positive effects of omega-3's. (Read the full article here.)

Additional research shows that omega-3's may contribute to healthy cognitive function, mood and behavior. A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study found that individuals with low levels of omega-3's in their blood reported mild to moderate poor mood, while those with higher levels had more agreeable dispositions¹. Outcomes of a Rush University study demonstrated that fish consumption once a week slowed memory loss at a rate of 10 percent per year, or up to 13 percent for those who ate fish more frequently²

Omega 3's are also believed to contribute to bone health. University of California, San Diego, researchers examined the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and dietary intake of omega-6 and omega-3 EFA's in 1,532 men and women over a four-year period. Authors concluded a more balanced intake of omega-6s to omega-3s could preserve skeletal integrity in older age³.

What to Look for in Omega-3 Supplements

When choosing omega-3 EFA supplements, it's important to look for products that have been "molecularly distilled." Because mercury or other heavy-metal contaminants may present in some deep-water fish, this process ensures that any trace of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or chemicals are removed so you consume only pure, potent fish oil.

Nutraceutical Sciences Institute® (NSI®) offers the largest selection of pure and great tasting omega oils and softgels - Pharmaceutical Grade - Molecularly Distilled with high elemental levels of Omega-3 EPA & DHA, and are purified through molecular distillation to ensure the absence of impurities, including PCBs and heavy metals.

All Nutraceutical Sciences Institute® products surpass all national and international pharmaceutical standards for freshness and purity, and are free from heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs. Every batch is lab tested to guarantee exceptional freshness and purity levels.

Unlike other brands, which may utilize lower-potency material, therefore requiring you to take several capsules per day, NSI® fish oil supplements deliver optimum potency, and are available at an incredible value.

Non-Fish EFA Sources

For those who prefer not to consume fish or fish oil, but want to increase intake of EFA's, be sure to check out NSI®'s flax, borage and black currant oils. Derived from the seeds of plants, these oils are great sources of omega-3 alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and omega-6 gamma linolenic acid (GLA).

NSI® flax products are available in softgel form (Organic Flaxseed Oil), providing 1,000 mg of pure, organic flaxseed oil per serving. Or, choose from Organic High Lignan Flax Oil (which has a light "nutty" taste and can be drizzled on bread, soups, salads and more) and Organic Cold-Milled Flaxseed (to sprinkle on breakfast cereals, yogurt and smoothies or add to muffins and other baked goods).

Other EFA options include NSI® Black Currant Oil, delivering both ALA and GLA, and NSI® Borage Oil, providing GLA and omega-9 oleic acid. Both are in capsule form, with dosages varying from 300 mg up to 1,300 mg per serving.

1. newsbureau.upmc.com/Medsurg3/Omega3.htm
2. Martha Clare Morris, ScD; Denis A. Evans, MD; Christine C. Tangney, PhD; Julia L. Bienias, ScD; Robert S. Wilson, PhD. Fish Consumption and Cognitive Decline With Age in a Large Community Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Sep;82(3):668-74.
3. Weiss, LA; Barrett-Connor, E; von Muhlen, D. Ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids and bone mineral density in older adults: the Rancho Bernardo Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Apr; 81(4):934-8.