The News on Omega-3s

This is a great article on Omega-3 Fish Oils and their implications on health and disease.
Written by Dan Murphy, D.C. and Harold McCoy, D.C. I could not have written it better myself.

ENJOY!




Omega-3 Fish Oils
By Dan Murphy, D.C.
&
Harold Mccoy, D.C.


Modern diets are lacking in these essential omega 3 fatty acids, and working these nutrients back into diets can impact many health aspects. These fatty acids get incorporated into cell membranes, and from there they influence a wide variety of cellular functions: a) they increase flexibility in the cell membrane, allowing for better communication, cell function, and communication with other cells; b) they increase ability to regulate physiological functions by creating a unique composition of the receptor environment (for hormones, neurotransmitters, bioactive peptides (proteins), etc.); c) they increase therapeutic effects from a beneficial ratio of fatty acid metabolites, or eicosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxane, leukotriene, etc.) d) they increase signaling power for the immune system, i.e. influence on cytokines, macrophages, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, MHC complex, etc.; e) they alter gene expression of cytokines, adhesion molecules, nitric oxide synthase, etc.; and f) they are needed for development and maintenance of the brain and nervous system.
The typical American diet has a very high omega 6 to omega 3 ratio, and this ratio is not conductive to the support of health maintenance. Since we lack the ability to efficiently convert alpha linolenic acid to the longer chain fatty acids (EPA and DHA) with many of the reported health benefits, it may be beneficial to provide these long chain fatty acids already preformed, as they come in fish oil. Thanks to a unique process, molecular distillation of pharmaceutical grade fish oil, a highly concentrated amount of EPA and DHA is now available in supplement form.

Health benefits: One long detailed article (23 pages), containing 172 references, touts some of the many healthy benefits of fish oil. The benefits include positive influences on: Inflammation, pain, swelling, kidney function, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, organ transplant, asthma, diabetes, inflammatory bowel, hypersensitivity/allergy, non-rheumatoid joint inflammation, gene expression, immune cells, fever, erythma, vascular permeability, edema, and others(Calder PC, Immunoreulatory and Anti-inflammatory Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty acids. Brazilian J Med and Biol Res 1998;31(4):467-90). This article also pointed out that fish oil acts on receptor operated calcium channels. Calcium channel blocker drugs, used to regulate high blood pressure, operate on a similar mechanism. Additionally, the effect on gene expression, of factors such as cytokines, adhesion molecules, and nitric oxide synthase, can affect cell membrane receptor proteins which alters the membrane’s sensitivity to inflammatory mediators. This is yet another way in which fish oil can modulate the inflammatory response.

Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgics are suspected of having blood coagulation defects, where their blood is too thick and not able to deliver nutrients appropriately, or remove toxins efficiently. The blood thinning effect of fish oil allows more oxygen delivery to the tissues and therefore more support for tissue repair.

Allergy: Dietary intake of the omega 6’s (arachidonic acid) was positively associated with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (Wakai, K. et al. Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and fatty acid intake: A cross-sectional study in Japan. Ann Epidemiol 2001 Jan;11(1):59-64). Omega 3’s from fish oil competitively inhibit the production of all the inflammatory modulators from omega 6’s. Other atopic diseases such as bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis are characteristically associated with an imbalance between different types of T cells and cytokines, leading to an increase of IgE and histamine, which gives rise to allergic symptoms (Strannegard O and Strannegard I.L. Allergy 2001;56(2):91-102).

Stroke: In a study of almost 80,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study, those with higher intakes of fish had a lower risk of stroke. In a subgroup of the study, significantly reduced risk of thrombotic infarction was found in the women who ate fish 2 or more times a week. Mechanisms may include: inhibition of platelet aggregation, lowered blood viscosity, suppressed formation of leukotrienes, reduction of plasma fibrinogen blood pressure levels, and reduction of insulin resistance (Hiroyasu I, et al. Intake of fish and omega 3 fatty acids and risk of stroke in women. JAMA 2001;285(3)Jan 17:304-312).

Sudden death/arrhythmia: A randomized trial suggested that dietary supplements of omega 3’s might reduce the risk of sudden death among survivors of a heart attack. The main cause of sudden death among these men in the study was cardiac arrhythmia. Other evidence supports the association of the omega 3’s with reduced risk of sudden death among men who have not experienced prior cardiovascular disease (Albert, C. et al. Blood levels of long chain n-3 fatty acids and the risk of sudden death. NEJM Apl 11, 2002;346(15):1113-118).

Bipolar disorder/depression: Omega 3 fatty acids improved the short-term course of illness in a preliminary study of patients with bipolar disorder. The omega 3 group performed better for nearly every outcome measure (Stoll, A.L. et al. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 56(5):402-12). “Fish oil blocked the abnormal signaling in the brain which we think is present in mania and depression” –Andrew Stoll, lead researcher in a study published by the Am Med Assoc Arch Gen Psychiatry (Fatty oil in fish eases depression. Reuters May 14, 1999). Also, “Stoll said omega 3 fatty acids boost levels of neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain – similar to the effect of popular anti-depressants such as Prozac”. One of the mechanisms may be that the omega 3’s replenish the lipid bilayer surrounding brain cells that receive signals from chemical transmitters. As Dr. Murphy points out, the fat we eat affects the ability of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to dock on membrane receptor sites and initiate their respective physiological functions.

Cholesterol/Triglycerides: Omega 3’s lower LDL cholesterol, and also have a favorable effect on reducing triglycerides (Hu, F.B. JAMA 2002;288(20):2569-2578).

Brain development/ regeneration of nerve cells: Consumption of omega 3’s by eating fish once a week significantly reduces risk of Alzheimer’s (Barberger-Gateau, P. et al. British Medical Journal 2002;325 Oct 26:932-933). This article also noted a specific role of the omega 3 fatty acids in the regeneration of nerve cells.

Osteoarthritis: Supplementation with omega 3’s reduced the release of proteoglycan metabolites from particular cartilage and abolished aggrecanase and collagenase activity (Curtis, Arthritis and Rheumatism 2002; 46(6):1544-1553). Dr. Murphy also points out that supplementation of omega 3’s can be important in both quiescent and active osteoarthritis.

Back Pain/Disc Herniation: PGE2 is the principal mediator related to the induction of sciatica and low back pain. It provokes ectopic firing of nerve roots, indicating that it may play a part in the chemical irritation of nerve roots. Dorsal root ganglion neurons can be sensitizes by PGE2. “PGE@ possesses the capability of causing pain, or enhancing pain-inducing substances such as bradykinin. It is suggested that COX-2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of lumbar disc herniation through upregulation of PGE2 production” (Miyamoto, H et al.. Spine 2002; Nov 15; 27 (22):2477-2483)

Contraindications: Fish oil can thin the blood and should not be combined with blood thinning drugs. Thinning the blood is normally considered to be advantageous because of the effect on reduced risk for blood clots/hear attack. Although blood thinning can hypothetically raise risk for hemorrhage/stroke, fish intake has been associated with reduced risk for stroke (Hiriyasu I, et al. Intake of fish and omega 3 fatty acids and risk of stroke in women. JAMA 2001; 285(3) Jan 17:304-312).

Allergy: Many believe that changes in the typical diet, that include decreased consumption of omega 3 fatty acids, may explain the increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases, such as asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis (Black PN, Sharpe S. Dietary fat and asthma: is there a connection? Eur Respir J. 1997 Jan;10(1):6-12). Dietary intake of the omega 6’s (arachidonic acid) was positively associated with seasonal allergic rhinoconjuncitivitis (Wakai, K. et al. Seasonal allergic rhinoconjuctivitis and fatty acid intake: A cross-sectional study in Japan. Ann Epidemiol 2001 Jan;11(1):59-64). Omega 3’s from fish oil competitively inhibit the production of all the inflammatory modulators from omega 6’s. Other atopic diseases such as bronical asthma and atopic dermatitis are characteristically associated with an imbalance between different types of T cells and cyokines, leading to an increase of IgE and histamine, which gives rise to allergic symptoms (Strannegard O and Stannegard I.L Allergy 2001;56(2):91-102). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation may reduce omega-6-edrived allergic inflammation and inflammation-perpetuated sensitization to multiple allergens, and may be beneficial in the prevention of allergy” (Dietary Fatty Acids and Allergy, Kankaanpaa P, et al, Ann Med, 1999;31:282-287).

Asthma: Fish oils make anti-inflammatory substances. Fish oil can block some of the inflammatory leukotrienes, and leukotrienes are responsible for most of the inflammation that is involved in asthma attacks. Leukotriens are 1,000 times more potent as stimulators of bronchial constriction than histamine (Murray M and Pizzotono J, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Prima Publishing, CA. P.152). It is believed that asthma suffers may have an imbalance in fatty acid metabolism, subjecting them to risk for elevated leukotriene production (Yen SS and Morris HG. Biochem Biophy Res Com 1981;103:774-79). Fish oil is a competitive substrate for arachidonic acid, therb y reducing inflammatory mediators (Oily fish and asthma-A fishy story? Theien, F er al., Medical Journal of Austraila, February 5, 1996:164:135-36). A study on children found that those eating freash, oily fish had ¼ the risk of asthma as children who did not eat oily fish (Hodge er al., Consumption of oily fish and childhood asthma risk. Med J Australia 1996;164:137-40)Canned fish included Atlantic salmon, anchovy, sardine, blue mackerel, rainbow trout, cod, yellowtail, and several others with greater than 2% fat content. Aside from the production of anti-inflammatory substances, the reported effects of fish oil and omega 3’s on the immune system could also be playing a role in ameliorating symptoms.

Eczema and other inflammatory conditions: Dietary supplements ranging 1-8 g per day of omega 3 fatty acids have been reportedly beneficial in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, IBD (inflammatory bowel Disease) and rheumatoid arthritis…treatment with omega-3 long chain PUFA reduces mucosal damage (Gil A. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory diseases. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct: 56(8):388-96; Jensen RG Possible alleviation of atopic eczema in a breastfed infant by maternal supplementation with a fish oil concentrate. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1992 May;14(4):475-5.)

General Immune System: The fatty acids in fish oil can influence the immune system by their effect on cytokines, macrophages, and other immune molecules. Cytokines and macrophages are immune defense molecules highly involved in the inflammatory response (Kremer, JM (ed.) Progress in Inflammation Research: Medicinal fatty acids in inflammation. Birkhauser Verlag, 1998, as sited by Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO).

Autoimmune Disease: The fatty acids in fish oil can influence the autoimmune system by their effect on cytokines, macrophages, and the MHC II complex. The MHC class II is a genetically set cell coding system that determines susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Fish oil affects T-cells, adhesion molecule expression, signal transduction and MHC class II expression (reduces the expression of these autoimmune-susceptible cells) (Immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 1998 Apr;31(4):467-90 as cited by Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO). Omega 3-induced effects may be of use as a therapy for “disorders, which involve an inappropriately-activated immune response” (Kremer, JM (ed.) Progress in Inflammation Research: Medicinal fatty acids in inflammation. Birkhauser Verlag, 1998, as sited by Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO).

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The nutritional information suggestions, and research provided are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. Please see your health care professional in all matters pertaining to your physical health.