| Some kind of inflammation is believed to lie behind | | | | Omega 6 and a direct source of EPA, for example, |
| most diseases of the 21st Century. For example, | | | | can only be found in oily fish and fish oil supplements. |
| heart disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, | | | | Over the past 70 years or so our consumption of |
| Alzheimer's and many other conditions are | | | | fish has also dwindled to a fraction of what it used |
| characterised by increased levels of pro-inflammatory | | | | to be, whereas our consumption of Omega 6 has |
| markers produced from Omega 6 essential fatty | | | | increased. |
| acids found in meat, dairy products, vegetable oils | | | | Many experts believe it is no coincidence that this |
| and processed foods. | | | | change in our diet has coincided with a rise in the |
| Although it is now well known that Omega 3 fatty | | | | number of cases of heart disease, cancers and |
| acids from oily fish or fish oil supplements can offer | | | | inflammatory conditions. Fish oil certainly offers hope |
| significant health benefits, what is perhaps less well | | | | not only therapeutically, but also by reducing |
| known are the reasons why? Possibly the most | | | | inflammation, we can reduce the risk of developing a |
| important health giving property of Omega 3 is its | | | | significant number of health problems in the first |
| apparent ability to reduce inflammation by inhibiting | | | | place. Some research suggests that fish oil could |
| production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. | | | | even offer a safer alternative to non-steroidal |
| Eicosanoids - good and bad | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. |
| No one yet fully understands the mechanisms | | | | Fish oil versus NSAIDs |
| involved, but according to a number of experts, | | | | One recent study published in Surgical Neurology |
| including Artemis Simopoulos a world-renowned | | | | suggested that Omega 3 fatty acids could possibly |
| authority on fish oil and director of the Centre for | | | | help treat neck and back pain. Joseph Maroon and |
| Genetics, Nutrition and Health, fish oil influences the | | | | Jeffrey Bost from Pittsburgh University, investigated |
| type of eicosanoids that are produced by the body. | | | | over 200 people who had been treated for |
| Eicosanoids are hormone like messengers that are | | | | non-surgical back and neck pain and all of who were |
| derived from essential fatty acids. To put it very | | | | taking NSAIDs. The participants were given 2.4 gr of |
| simply, depending on the type of essential fatty acid | | | | Omega 3 for 2 weeks before halving the dose and |
| incorporated into the cells, either Omega 6 or Omega | | | | reducing their NSAIDs over the following couple of |
| 3, the eicosanoids produced will either be (bad) | | | | weeks. The results of surveys that were sent out |
| pro-inflammatory or (good) anti-inflammatory. It is | | | | (125 questionnaires were returned) showed that |
| necessary to have a balance between the different | | | | more than 50% had stopped taking any NSAIDs and |
| types of eicosanoids or between Omega 6 and | | | | had less pain and 88% said they would continue |
| Omega 3, for good health and this is where diet | | | | taking fish oil supplements. |
| plays a crucial part. Most of us simply do not get | | | | So what kind of fish oil is best? |
| enough of Omega 3 in our diet to offset the | | | | Opinions on this vary but in general, fish oil with a |
| inflammation produced by Omega 6. | | | | high EPA content can be considered the best for |
| In particular, it is the Omega 3 fatty acid | | | | most people. Most fish oils contain a combination of |
| Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA that can be considered | | | | EPA and DHA and many reports mention just Omega |
| as the most beneficial for ongoing physical health and | | | | 3 and do not differentiate between the fatty acids |
| mental wellbeing. Although Docosahexaenoic acid or | | | | involved. Some studies have indicated that too much |
| DHA, another Omega 3 fatty acid, is important for | | | | DHA might actually inhibit the effectiveness of EPA |
| the structure of the brain and healthy vision, many | | | | so the ratio of EPA to DHA is crucial. |
| professionals now believe it is EPA that is needed for | | | | Conclusion |
| the body and the brain to function well on a day to | | | | As most people have a diet that is rich in Omega 6 |
| day basis. | | | | but deficient in Omega 3, nearly everyone can |
| For example, when the Omega 6 fatty acid, | | | | benefit from supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil in |
| arachidonic acid or AA is incorporated into the cells, | | | | order to reduce or limit the negative effect of too |
| the result is increased production of pro-inflammatory | | | | much inflammation in the body. Eating more oily fish is |
| eicosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxanes and | | | | one way of increasing intake of Omega 3, but as our |
| leukotrienes). EPA, in a way, competes with AA for | | | | fish are now polluted with toxins, the best option has |
| incorporation into the cells, reducing the number of | | | | got to be a quality fish oil supplement where the |
| pro-inflammatory compounds produced. | | | | toxins have been removed and one that is particularly |
| Unfortunately, Omega 3 is not as abundant as | | | | high in EPA. |