Ask the Scientists - Health and Science Education

 

A meta-analysis published online by the Mayo Clinical Proceedings found that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA had favorable benefits for heart health.

META-ANALYSIS OF EPA AND DHA OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS AND CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Researchers included 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 16 prospective cohort studies into their analysis. The results from the RCTs showed a 6% reduction (not statistically significant) in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients using EPA and DHA. The prospective studies showed a statistically significant 18% reduction in coronary heart disease among participants. Subgroup analysis from the RCTs showed that individuals at higher risk for CHD, such as those with elevated triglycerides and elevated LDL cholesterol, benefitted most from the omega-3 fatty acids, especially at dosages above 1 gram per day.

The conclusions of the meta-analysis support the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Task Force’s recommended addition of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids to dietary patterns to support heart health and prevent coronary heart disease.

http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(16)30681-4/abstract

Similar studies:
https://askthescientists.com/omega-3-fatty-acids-linked-lo…/
https://askthescientists.com/fish-oil-lowers-heart-rate/
https://askthescientists.com/regular-exercise-fish-oil-may…/

 

Note from Deanna:  I recommend Usana's BiOmega fish oil supplement with EPA and DHA to support healthy cellular function throughout the body.  There is also a version for young people called BiOmega Jr. to support healthy growth and development.

Are You Getting Enough Omega 3's?

Omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular health, proper brain, neural, and visual development, as well as maintenance of bone, joint, immune, and cellular health. 

However, the majority of the population fails to consume adequate amounts of omega-3s.  

So, how does a person top up their consumption of Omega 3's.  I know that I don't eat copious amounts of fish everyday.  Read this article from www.askthescientists.com 

Note that combining fish oil intake with regular exercise is more supportive than exercise alone for helping to maintain a healthy weight and supporting metabolic health.*

USANA’s BiOmega™ is produced from cold water, deep-sea fish oil that comes from a fishery that uses sustainable practices and renewable resources. BiOmega is purified to be virtually free of contaminants and flavored with lemon oil to minimize the fishy aftertaste.

One serving of BiOmega provides a total of 2000 mg fish oil concentrate, 1200mg of total omega-3s including 1050 mg of EPA and DHA, 200 IU of vitamin D, 4 mg of mixed natural tocopherols, and is free of trans-fatty acids.

You can order USANA's BiOmega here:  bit.ly/2mNHvBJ

Please let me know if you have further questions about Omega 3's.
Thanks to USANA Health and Science Education Department for this helpful information.  See more researched articles at:  http://www.askthescientists.com  


 

Research Shows How Omega-3 Fatty Acids Keep Your Heart Healthy

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Support Heart Health

Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women. There are many risk factors that can contribute to developing heart disease. Some risk factors cannot be modified like age and family history. But others such as smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, eating fruits and vegetables, and high blood pressure are all modifiable by making healthier lifestyle choices.

Research presented at the 2016 American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions showed a positive correlation between circulating omega-3 fatty acids and a major risk factor for heart disease. In this study, 2036 young healthy adults volunteered. Researchers measured blood pressure and blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Individuals were then divided into four groups, from those with the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood to those with the lowest levels. 

The results showed that healthy young adults who had the highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures than healthy young adults with the lowest levels.

These important healthy fats are found mostly in fish and some plant sources. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are largely found in fish, especially cold water fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines (sometimes called “marine omega-3’s”). Vegetarian sources include some vegetable oils, walnuts, and flax seeds. However, the primary omega-3 fatty acid found in plant sources is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is limited in humans and generally used for energy.

This is not the first study to associate higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease but adds further evidence that promoting diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help support heart health.

American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2016. http://news.heart.org/diet-rich-in-omega-3s-lowers-blood-pressure-in-young-healthy-adults/
Clark CM, Monahan KD, Drew RC. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation attenuates blood pressure increase at onset of isometric handgrip exercise in healthy young and older humans. Physiol Rep. 2016;4(14).
Walser B, Giordano RM, Stebbins CL. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids augments brachial artery dilation and blood flow during forearm contraction. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006;97(3):347-54.

For further information on heart health and the USANA BiOmega 3 fatty acids,
please contact me at:  watersdd2@gmail.com

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS IMPROVE HEART HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS

The benefits of most supplemental nutrients are more obvious after chronic long-term use (except correction of deficiencies, of course). Here is a paper showing fish oil having benefits even with short-term intake (6 months).

It is well-known that omega-3 fatty acids can improve long-term heart health. 

A study published in the medical journal Chest indicates that omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil may improve heart function even after short-term supplementation.

Researchers followed 58 people aged 60 or older who were randomly assigned to take either marine-derived omega-3s (fish oil) or plant-derived omega-3s (alpha-linolenic acid) from soy oil. 

The oils were taken as 1-gram capsules, twice daily for six months.
A measure of heart-healthiness called heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed every other day. 

Supplementation with 2 grams a day of fish oil was associated with a significant increase in HRV. The supplementation with 2 grams a day of soy oil also significantly improved HRV, but to a lesser degree than the fish oil.

In addition to other factors known to improve heart health, such as exercise, weight loss, and stress reduction, taking a daily omega-3 oil supplement may therefore reduce the risk of developing irregular heart rhythm or succumbing to sudden cardiac death.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15821181

Information provided by the USANA Health and Education Department.

Note from Deanna Waters:  My husband and I appreciate the science behind the USANA BiOmega fish oil supplements, which contain a concentrated dose of two important Omega-3 fatty acids - EPA and DHA - to support healthy cellular function throughout the body.

One of the biggest concerns with aging, is the fear of cognitive decline or dementia.  This study affirms my determination to take my daily dose of USANA's BiOmega fish oil capsules for optimal Omega 3's.

USANA Health and Science Education

 

Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) that we know are beneficial for the heart and brain. But, research now shows that higher blood levels of EPA/DHA may be correlated with the actual size of the hippocampus, the area of the brain related to learning and cognition. Very interesting stuff.

HIGHER EPA AND DHA LEVELS ARE CORRELATED WITH HEALTHIER BRAIN SIZE IN AGING ADULTS

Normal aging results in overall brain atrophy, or shrinkage. In a study published in the journal Neurology, scientists looked at the possible association between higher levels omega-3 fatty acids and greater brain volume in aging adults.

The study included 1,111 women aged 65 to 80 enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study. At the beginning of the study, blood samples were taken to analyze omega-3 fatty acid (EPA and DHA) levels. On an average of 8 years later, magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) was conducted to measure brain volumes. In addition to total brain volume, several specific regions of the brain were also measured. Adjustments were made for factors such as hormone therapy, time since randomization, demographics, and cerebral and cardiovascular disease risk.

In fully adjusted models, a greater blood volume of EPA and DHA was correlated with a larger brain volume, and even more specifically with greater hippocampal volume in these postmenopausal women. The hippocampus is an area of the brain involved with cognition and learning. This effect on brain volume is thought to be the equivalent of delaying the normal age-related loss of brain cells by one to two years.

The results of this study suggest that higher omega-3 fatty acid levels achieved through diet or supplementation may reduce normal brain atrophy and help delay cognitive aging and dementia.

Full paper:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917688/

 

For more information on this topic and to purchase USANA's BiOmega fish oil capsules,

please contact:  Deanna Waters   www.ddwaters.com   watersdd2@gmail.com