The Benefits of Omega-3s
The properties of Omega-3s are useful as early as gestation, when they help the proper development of the baby's cardiovascular system, brain and eyes. And again to protect the heart, arteries, nervous system and eyesight, it is important to ensure adequate levels during the rest of life as well. Of all the possible benefits of Omega-3s that have been most studied, the best known relate to the heart:
- To the reduction of blood triglyceride levels after meals and on an empty stomach;
- to the increase in so-called "good" cholesterol (the HDL, High Density Lipoproteins);
- to antithrombotic properties that could help reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events (such as heart attack and stroke);
- To an antiarrhythmic effect;
- to an anti-inflammatory action that by affecting the dilation of arteries could help fight hypertension, especially during old age.
FAQ
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At what age can you start taking Omegor supplements?+
In principle, there are no age limits for starting or stopping omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplementation. In any case, the capsules and thus the recommended doses are designed for healthy men of about 70 kg but can be adjusted individually according to weight, specific functional needs, and any disease states specific to the subject.
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How can the effects produced by omega-3s be measured?+
The main purpose of OMEGOR Omega-3 supplementation is to prevent a dietary deficit of essential fatty acids by going about restoring physiological levels of these essential substances in our cells. Our bodies are very greedy for these vital fatty acids. To evaluate the effects produced by Omega-3 OMEGOR, in addition to interpreting the beneficial signals sent by our body, one can measure the improvement of so-called "cardiac coherence" or even monitor the presence of these fatty acids in the blood. First, one could do a normal fasting plasma lipid test, to be repeated after two to three months of treatment, and calculate the ratio of triglycerides to "good" (HDL) cholesterol, i.e., (TG/HDL): simply take the value of triglycerides and divide it by that of HDL cholesterol. In some studies, it has been observed that a ratio of triglycerides to HDL of less than 2 indicates a lower relative risk of heart disease. It would be useful to evaluate the evolution of this value before and after the supplementation period by consulting with your primary care physician. In addition, there is a new blood test that measures the ratio of arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid (AA/EPA). It is advisable to perform this test two to three months after the start of treatment. Studies on the Japanese population, which has the highest average life span among industrialized countries, have shown that a value of this ratio between approximately 1 and 3 correlates with excellent functional balance and health status. Recently it has been highlighted by the work of Harris WS and von Schacky C that measurement of the amount of EPA+DHA , as the percentage of total fatty acids present in red blood cell membranes in the blood ("Omega-3 Index") can give important premonitory information of clinical relevance regarding the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
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Can Omega-3s be helpful for multiple sclerosis?+
Results of studies that specifically measured the effect of Omega-3s on multiple sclerosis have shown that Omega-3s improve the symptoms of patients with the condition. This is generally true for all auto-immune diseases, contributing to a better balance of the immune system. While there are no particular side effects to be feared in using Omega-3s for multiple sclerosis, it should be emphasized that the results could be moderate but still potentially significant such as reducing the necessary doses of anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs after a few months of treatment; all clearly under the supervision of the treating physician.
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What are the effects of Omega-3 on cholesterol and triglycerides?+
At high dosages, EPA and DHA have a powerful and well-demonstrated triglyceride-lowering effect. Supplementation with EPA/DHA of 1 to 3 grams per day provides a quantifiable reduction in blood serum triglycerides. There is a dose-response relationship, that is, the greater the amount of EPA/DHA taken, the greater the triglyceride-reducing effect. In some studies, it has been observed that an amount of 1 gram of EPA+DHA taken regularly produces a decrease in triglycerides of about 20 percent in some subjects. A reduction on the order of 25-30% was obtained with a larger dose (>4 grams). EPA and DHA at the same time change other lipid parameters (LDL, VLDL, HDL). In particular, intake of about 3 grams produces an increase in HDL values (the "good" cholesterol) and a reduction, but more modestly, in total "bad" cholesterol values (VLDL + LDL).
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Can one become addicted to omega-3 supplements?+
EPA and DHA supplements are not drugs or artificial molecules, but rather dietary supplements that renew the body's essential fatty acid reserves in cases of dietary deficiency and/or increased need for these nutrients. Abrupt discontinuation of treatment has no adverse effect except the risk of letting physiological reserves gradually decline again in the absence of a diet sufficiently rich in Omega-3.
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Do omega-3s play a preventive role?+
First, it is important to differentiate the concept of primary prevention from that of secondary prevention. The latter refers to those patients who have already had an initial cardiovascular "alert." Most clinical trials carried out employing Omega-3 fatty acids have considered precisely this type of patient. In this regard, Omega-3s have been widely shown to reduce the risk of even sudden cardiovascular mortality (GISSI Prevention). Further studies, carried out in healthy patients without previous episodes of cardiac phenomena (primary prevention studies), have demonstrated a beneficial influence of Omega-3s with regard to normal cardiovascular function.
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Is taking omegor omega-3 supplements fattening?+
The short answer is no. In fact, each 1-gram capsule of OMEGOR Vitality has just over 10 calories. Three 1-gram capsules of OMEGOR Vitality therefore contain about 32 calories and that is the equivalent of half an apple. Several studies on rats suggest that Omega-3s actually reduce the formation and size of fat cells (adipocytes). Moreover, Omega-3s are mainly used as constituents of cell membranes, not for energy purposes. For these reasons, taking OMEGOR Vitality is not fattening; in fact, the opposite is true.
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What may be the side effects of omega-3?+
The most common side effect of Omega-3 supplements is the possible fishy aftertaste; however, this can easily be eliminated by using small tricks such as taking the capsules just before a meal and/or possibly splitting the doses. As an example, if you take three capsules a day, it is advisable to take one immediately before each main meal. In some people Omega-3s can speed up intestinal transit. During the first week of treatment it is rare but possible for stools to be soft and diarrheal episodes to occur; in this case simply reduce doses for one or two weeks as appropriate and then try the initial dose again to test for increased tolerability. In other, rarer cases, Omega-3s may facilitate the appearance of bruising since, like aspirin, they interfere with certain mechanisms of blood clotting (platelet aggregation). This is generally considered one of their main beneficial effects that results in reducing the risk of heart attack or cerebrovascular complications. It could, however, pose a problem for those people predisposed to bruising or who use anti-coagulant drugs of which Omega-3s could potentiate the effect. In such cases, it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting Omega-3 supplementation.
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Can Omega-3s be taken during pregnancy?+
A Danish study suggests that women with an Omega-3-rich diet during pregnancy deliver babies with "healthier" birth weights and are less often subject to premature births. Omega-3s are known to play an important role in the development of the nervous system of the fetus and infant, and women with an Omega-3-deficient diet during pregnancy face an increased risk of postpartum depression Authoritative confirmation of the need to ensure adequate intakes of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during this delicate phase came recently (September 2005) from the European Consensus Conference on Recommendations for Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Pregnant and Lactating Women (PERILIP), whose aim was to improve guidelines on nutrition during the period of pregnancy and growth of the unborn child. Experts in nutrition, placental development and function, obstetrics and neonatology, led by Dr. Berthold Koletzko and Dr. Irene Cetin, concluded the work by recommending a minimum daily intake of 200mg DHA for pregnant and breastfeeding women. PERILIP highlighted the fact that intakes of up to 1g of DHA or 2.7g of long-chain omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs) have been shown to be free of relevant side effects in various clinical trials. This recommendation may soon become part of the new official guidelines of the EU, which, among other things, funded the work of the aforementioned PERILIP conference.
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Could excessive omega-3 consumption be dangerous?+
Starting with the fact that overconsumption of Omega-3 is considered to be those who have a diet already rich in Omega-3 combined with appropriate dietary supplementation. In such a situation, there is no risk from overdose. Suffice it to say that Eskimos living in Northern Quebec in Canada consume up to 16 grams of fish oil per day, and to date no adverse effect caused by such a dose of Omega-3 has been observed.