A Swedish study in 2006 demonstrated within a 6 to 12 month period of supplementation with omega 3, it produced a decline of early Alzheimer’s…believed due to the anti inflammatory activity of the omega 3’s.

Neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock in his July 2006 newsletter reports the ratio of omega 3’s to omega 6’s is crucial to the reduction of heart attack, stroke, cancer, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Virtually everyone in mainland USA would benefit from supplementing omega 3’s with fish oil.

The July 2008 issue of “The archives of Ophthalmology” reported on a study done at the University of Melbourne, Australia.  It pooled data from 9 different studies.  The pooled study involved almost 89,000 subjects and 3200 of those with AMD (age relate macular degeneration).  This study demonstrated that a high intake of omega 3 (EPA) was related to a 23% reduction in the risk of early AMD.  Advanced AMD was reduced by 38%.

The retina of the eye has high amounts of omega 3.  Blindness or impaired vision can result from a lack of sufficient omega 3’s.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) found increasing omega 3’s by only 2% decreased retinopathy by 40% to 50%.

Cold deep water tuna, herring, salmon are rich sources of omega 3’s, and associated with reduced inflammation and pain.

A double blind study found 2,600 mg daily of omega 3’s led to significant improvements in rheumatoid arthritis. As many as 13 good quality studies verify the anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oil in reducing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms of pain and dysfunction.

Dr. Robert DeMaria reports in his book “Dr Bob’s Trans Fat Survival Guide” that nerve conduction is significantly improved in a study he followed on seniors. Apparently neurotransmitters (conductors of brain and nerve messages) had improved conduction on neural pathways.

Dr. Bob should know, he is considered an expert on the subject of trans fats.  The trans fats are man modified (fully hydrogen saturated) substances that become foreign objects to the body and hard to metabolize and eliminate.

Studies show that the omega 3’s , ( coming from fish oils) with their anti inflammatory power help extinguish inflammation caused by the trans fats; hence they are quite beneficial in reducing Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: arthritis, brain, eye, heart, omega 3's, trans fats

The EPA and DHA are best provided by fish oil.  They are among the best cardiovascular supplements. The fish eat microalgae that contain EPA and DHA and the organs and flesh of the fish accumulate high levels of these omega 3’s.

ALA is more plant based (flax & hemp oil) and it can be converted by your body to DHA but the DHA is less efficient than directly from fish.  It is interesting that a study done in 1970 on the Inuit natives of Greenland found, in spite of a high fat diet, cardiovascular disease was almost non-existent.

Further research with the Alaska Eskimos also confirms the protective power from cardiovascular disease with their high consumption of fish oils…as much as 6000 times the level of omega 3’s as non fish, non sea food consumers.  Those on this native diet simply do not have cardiovascular disease.

Why are omega 3’s so healthy?  Here is a list of the more dramatic benefits:
• Reduced triglycerides (large chain fatty acids that are a risk factor in cardiovascular disease)
•    Balance of excess omega 6’s… extinguishing their inflammatory effect
•    Help in preventing blood clots and artery plaque, reducing atherosclerosis and platelet clumping
•    Reduction of C-Reactive protein and Interleukin 6…markers for inflammation in the blood (red  flag dangers for heart attack & stroke)
•    Reduced macular degeneration and better eye health
•    Reduced cognitive decline and brain diseases
•    Reduced inflammation and pain due to thromboxanes, leukotrienes and postglandins. Research in 1963 found these eicosanaids were pro-inflammatory and were produced when excess omega 6’s accumulated.

The triglycerides are long chain fatty acids generally produced by consumption of fats and are well known risk factors in cardiovascular disease.

The ideal ration of omega 3’s to omega 6’s is 1 omega 3 to 3 or 4 omega 6’s.   The omega 6’s are also essential fatty acids but are generally at excessive levels in most diets. Unfortunately the ratio in America is usually 1 to 20 up to 45.

When high levels of omega 6’s are present inflammation occurs. Increases of cardiovascular disease, auto immune disease, macular degeneration, cognitive decline and general aches and pains result.

Virtually all degenerative disease is accompanied by chronic inflammation.  Excess omega 6’s produce many pro-inflammatory substances if they are not neutralized early on.  These include thromboxanes (increase clots & hypertension), postacyclins, leukotrienes and various pain producing postglandins.

Not surprisingly, high levels of inflammation produced by the excess omega 6’s relative to omega 3’s, are associated with increased heart attack, stroke, arthritis, brain disease (Alzheimer’s), cognitive decline, and macular degeneration…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: ALA, arthritis, brain, degenerative diseases, DHA, EPA, eye, heart, omega 3's, omega 6's

If there is an abundance of bio-compounds that have free electrons to give… like vitamins A, C & E, plus bio-flavenoids in fruits and vegetables… they are satisfied.  Free radicals won’t then rob weaker compounds that your body needs. Another important anti-inflammatory and proven aid in both coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s are the omega 3’s.  Let’s explore the omegas.

Exactly why omega’s are so powerful in preventing heart disease and Alzheimer’s is not fully clear but studies and statistics prove their efficacy. It is well accepted in mainstream medicine and in alternative medicine that abundant omega 3’s are huge in prevention of coronary heart disease.  Now Alzheimer’s prevention can be added. Omega 3’s are essential fatty acids that you body, and especially your brain, needs because the fat content of the brain is relatively high.

A recent study presented to the American Academy of Neurology found that high amounts of the omegas, along with vitamin E and folate,  greatly reduced Alzheimer’s… to the tune of 42%. Also in the equation was (surprisingly) increased vitamin B-12… without apparent benefit.  The study did not find a co-relationship of high B-12 levels alone with reduced Alzheimer’s.  Normally deficient vitamin B-12 is associated with compromised brain function in the form of dementia.  The explanation given was high levels of B-12 were present because of high meat consumption that also increased saturated fats.  Apparently the Omega 3’s were able to overcome the detrimental effects of the saturated fats, which are inflammatory, and the B-12 was irrelevant.

A prime example of omega 3’s overriding the negative effects of high fatty meat consumption and reducing coronary heart disease is found with the Eskimos.  They live almost exclusively on fish and fatty meat for months. Studies show that in spite of high consumption of fats they have almost no coronary heart disease.  The reason why clearly points to the high intakes of omega 3… that are found in fish and sea animals.

This validates the hue and cry of alternative doctors to “get your omega 3’s”.  They are most abundant in salmon and deep sea fish.  Also flax and hemp oil are good sources…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: alzheimer's, coronary heart disease, free radicals, inflammation, omega 3's

More than 1000 studies do not demonstrate an association of low fat diet with prevention or reduction of coronary heart disease. Indeed a study of 832 men, over a 20 year period, demonstrated that a low fat diet increased stroke by 50% and certainly was not beneficial for heart disease reduction.

You may be wondering why higher cholesterol (a fat) and triglycerides (fats also) would not cause heart disease and precipitate a heart attack.

Omega 3 fats, found in deep sea fish, are shown in thousands of studies to reduce fatal heart attack by 50%, if fish is eaten one time a week…according to Bottom Line Health Books.  Multiple servings per week can reduce the risk by as much as 70%.

Why are good fats like those in fish, olive oil and flax oil so good for the heart? Your body need fats for energy production.  A normal body gets 75% of its energy from fats.  Omega 3 and omega 6  fatty acids and triglycerides are good primary sources.

Too many triglycerides as well as too many omega 6 fatty acids are inflammatory, if excessive. Inflammation attracts atherosclerosis build up in the artery linings.  It is dangerous in heart disease, increasing not only heart attack but also stroke.

The essential fatty acid omega 3’s are shown to be beneficial in study after study.  Here is why.

• Omega 3’s balance the typically excessive amounts of omega 6’s essential fatty acids  (Typically the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 is excessive.  The ratio of 3’s to 6’s is 1:20 to 40 and it should be 1:4…according to Dr. Robert DeMaria a respected authority on trans fats and omega fatty acids.  Too much omega 6 is inflammatory.
• Omega 3’s reduce the bad LDL cholesterol and raise the good HDL cholesterol
• Omega 3’s keep walls and linings of arteries elastic
• Omega 3’s reduce dangerous atherosclerotic plaque build up in the arteries
• Omega 3’s help stabilize heart rhythm, reducing dangerous arrhythmias

The bottom line is good levels of omega 3’s, in numerous studies, are shown to reduce fatal heart attack by over 50%.

Good sources of omega 3’s are deep sea fish (especially salmon), nuts and flax seed oil and hemp oil. Generally any proven supplement does not work best alone because of catalysts, co-enzymes, phytonutrients and many unknowns in a good diet.  A diet rich in nuts, olive oil, grains has merit in providing a heart healthy diet.  A low fat diet does not reduce heart disease risk. The Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables has one of the best records for reduced cardiovascular disease…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: heart attack, low fat diet, omega 3's, omega 6's, triglycerides

Naturopathic doctor and researcher, Mark Stengler recommends several supplements to provide a strong and healthy heart.  These include Omega 3’s, CoQ-10, magnesium and L-carnitine. Cardiologist, Stephen Sinatra, M.D. in his publications, is also a big fan of these supplements and frequently recommends them.

For the Omega 3’s, Dr. Stengler recommends EPA and DHA…the most proven beneficial of the Omega 3’s in the amount of 1500 mg per day.  For CoQ-10 he recommends 100 mg twice daily along with 200 mg of magnesium, also 2 times a day. The L-carnitine dosage that he recommends is 1500 mg.  He does caution that you should be under the supervision of a doctor that concurs with this treatment and can monitor any other drugs, supplements or blood thinners that could change the equation…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: atrial fibrillation, omega 3's

What the omega 3’s do is greatly reduce inflammatory triglycerides, raise good (HDL) cholesterol and decrease the bad (LDL) cholesterol, reducing atherosclerosis development. High levels of omega 6’s are detrimental.

What omega 3’s also do is stabilize the blood pressure, relax and protect the artery walls. The reduced inflammation in the blood vessels makes the vessels smoother, more pliable and helps prevent clots. In addition, there is an associated stabilization of heart beat and blood pressure. This ultimately reduces atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries by plaque accumulation.

Good sources of omega 3’s are fish oil, flax seed oil, hemp oil and most nuts.  Omega 3’s are usually in poor ratio to omega 6’s.  It should be a ratio of 1:3 (omega 3’s to 6’s) but usually is over 1:20 in the American diet…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: atherosclerosis, heart disease, omega 3's