| The researchers suggested that the combination reversed the moderate increase in LDL cholesterol that normally results from fish oil supplements. Synergy at work, perhaps?
THE GOOD FATS YOU SHOULD GET
According to the American Heart Association, an ideal diet includes a variety of fish (preferably fatty fish) at least twice a week. Specifically, aim for an average of 650 milligrams to 1 gram of fish omega-3s daily (preferably from food), and a total intake of 1.5-3 grams of plant omega-3s (amounts you can get by enjoying the following foods) also seems beneficial. |
Hyla Cass
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 Studies show that fish oil supplements can be as effective as statins—and without any side effects. Regular intake of fish oil has been shown to lower the risk of cardiac-related death.
One study has raised doubts about the safety of fish oil for people who have severe angina (heart pains) or heart failure. If you have one of these conditions, consult with your doctor about this research before trying fish oil.
Dose: Take 2,000 mg daily. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
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 EPA and DHA) fish oil supplements are sometimes available. In addition, DHA is available in a supplement that does not contain significant amounts of EPA. |
| Fish oil is easily damaged by oxygen, so small amounts of vitamin E (page 609) are often included in fish oil supplements to prevent such oxidative damage.24 Doctors often recommend that people who supplement with fish oil or DHA take vitamin E supplements to protect EPA and DHA within the body from oxidative damage. Some evidence indicates that vitamin E may be protective against oxidative damage caused by fish oil.25 However, animal researchers have reported that the oxidative damage caused by DHA alone was not prevented with vitamin E supplementation. |
| These disparate outcomes suggest that the enteric-coated, free-fatty-acid form may have important advantages, including the reported elimination of gastrointestinal symptoms that often result from taking regular fish oil supplements.26 Unfortunately, enteric-coated "free-fatty-acid" fish oil is not commercially available at this time.
In a preliminary trial, six of seven people with Crohn's disease went into remission after taking 200 mg per day of DHEA (page 503) for eight weeks. |
| A greater intake of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils (page 514) has been linked to reduced risk of COPD,15 though research has yet to investigate whether fish oil supplements would help people with COPD.
Many prescription drugs commonly taken by people with COPD have been linked to magnesium (page 551) deficiency, a potential problem because magnesium is needed for normal lung function.16 One group of researchers reported that 47% of people with COPD had a magnesium deficiency.17 In this study, magnesium deficiency was also linked to increased hospital stays. |
Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) and Dr. Jonathan Prousjy, DPHE, DSC, ND, FRSH
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 The widespread use of fish oil supplements (cod and halibut) in school public health programs was very successful in preventing rickets, but recently this disease has returned and nearly 100 cases of rickets in children have been reported.
Osteomalacia (adult form of vitamin D deficiency): Supplementation with optimal doses of vitamin D can prevent osteomalacia, even in the absence of adequate sunlight. Osteomalacia causes softening of the bones and inadequate mineralization of the bone matrix. It is also associated with an acceleration of bone loss. |
| The most common side effects from fish oil supplements are gastrointestinal and consist of mild indigestion, belching, increased flatulence, diarrhea, or a fishy aftertaste. Side effects can be minimized when taken with food or by taking an enteric-coated fish oil preparations.
Oil Quality
Obtaining the correct oils is not always simple. In his book The Facts about Fats, John Finnegan discusses some of the problems in the preparation of the commercial oils and fats. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 I was at one of those wholesale discount club stores -- I don't want to name the name -- and they had vitamins in capsules, like fish oil supplements, that were formulated to combine fish oil extract with hydrogenated soybean oil. How's that for a supplement?
Barron: Wow.
Mike: Can you believe that?
Barron: Yep.
Mike: This was heavily promoted on an end cap display as being good for your cardiovascular health. It's insane.
Barron: There's definitely insanity. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Mike: Right, because some people take fish oil supplements, and you get that fish taste.
Ayerza: Some people like it, like in Finland, Swedish people, but in Argentina or the United Kingdom or in many states in the U.S.A., people don't like fish. They like fish once, twice per week, but they don't like to take pills all day long. This is an option.
Mike: Wonderful, Ricardo.
Ayerza: It was a pleasure to talk with you and all of your audience. If they have any questions or need any help, they can contact Dr. Wayne Coates or they can contact me. |
Dr. Jonathan Prousky, BPHE, BSc, ND, FRSH
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 The most common side effects from fish oil supplements are gastrointestinal, consisting of mild dyspepsia, belching, increased flatulence, diarrhea, or a fishy aftertaste. Side effects can be minimized if taken with food or by taking an enteric-coated fish oil preparation.11
Therapeutic Recommendation
All of these orthomolecular treatments may be extremely effective for the management of anxiety. Although none of them has been subjected to large controlled trials, this should not prevent their use as first-line treatments. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
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| Nevertheless, anyone who has had one of these arrhythmias should consult a doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
Patients taking hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure (page 246) had a significant reduction in arrhythmias when supplemented with 1 gram twice per day of potassium hydrochloride (supplying 1040 mg per day of elemental potassium [page 572]). Those results were not improved by adding 500 mg twice per day of magnesium hydroxide (supplying 500 mg per day of elemental magnesium) to the potassium. |
The Editors of FC&A
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| In a study held in Cincinnati, about 60 percent of the participants had fewer and less severe migraines after taking fish oil supplements for six weeks.
Though fish oil capsules are an easy way to get your omega-3, an even better way is from natural sources. Look for omega-3 in cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines. It's also found in flaxseed and wheat germ.
Ginger. If you want milder and less frequent migraines, this is the rhizome for you. |
Kevin Trudeau
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 Likewise, another WebMD user observes that in WebMD's cholesterol information section there is no discussion at all about fish oil supplements, a therapy that has been proven to reduce cholesterol.
The outrage is that WebMD gives false and misleading information about these alternatives. It's as if they are trying to get you away from believing that inexpensive non-drug and non-surgical ways to cure and prevent disease are effective and safe. |
The Editors of FC&A
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| Remember to talk to your doctor before taking fish oil supplements. They're naturally rich in vitamins A and D which can be toxic in large doses. In addition, fish oil acts as a natural blood-thinner, so avoid mixing it with aspirin, garlic, ginkgo, or prescription blood-thinning medications.
Get a lift from ginseng. Panax ginseng is one of the "true" ginsengs — not an imitator often passed off for the real thing - and is the most well-researched kind. It's been used to treat fatigue, poor concentration, low energy, and now mental health. |
Mike Adams
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 To correct this imbalance and help cure your eczema, avoid eating processed and greasy foods and increase your omega-3 fatty acids intake by eating more salmon and other cold water fish, flaxseed and flaxseed oil, chia, and Salba, and also begin taking flaxseed or fish oil supplements.
By combining all of these topical and internal cures with the dietary changes described above, you can very likely clear up your eczema for good. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| Although flaxseed oil provides alpha-linolenic acid, which can be converted by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase into stearidonic acid and then elongated into EPA and DHA, this cumbersome conversion process is obviously not as effective in increasing tissue concentrations of EPA and DHA as fish oil supplements.
These following steps will help you gain the optimal ratio of essential fatty acids for healthy cell membranes and balanced and efficient production of prostaglandins:
1. Be aware of the fat content of foods. |
Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.
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 Vitamin D and fish oil supplements (for those who cannot stomach fish) may also be helpful. These foods seem to provide anti-inflammatory nutrients that may help relieve joint pain.
Chocolate and tomatoes may trigger pain for some sensitive individuals. Most folks, however, don't have to avoid these treats. You'll have to be your own judge on whether specific foods trigger your discomfort.
SELENIUM HOPE
"We are very excited about these findings because no one had ever measured body selenium in this way in relationship to osteoarthritis. |
| Most cardiologists rejected the idea of fish oil supplements, though they were willing to encourage people to eat fish. Now, fish oil is a part of mainstream medicine, and cardiologists routinely recommend supplements. There is even a pharmaceutical-grade prescription fish oil product (Omacor) that has become quite popular among physicians.
At the time of this writing, there are more than 10,000 articles on fish oil in the National Library of Medicine database. More than 1,600 relate to cardiovascular issues. The evidence is in, and it is convincing. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Numerous studies over the past ten years have shown that people with rheumatoid arthritis have fewer tender and swollen joints and less morning stiffness after several months of taking large doses of fish oil supplements (2.5 to 5 grams a day) with meals. A small number of people have even been able to reduce or discontinue use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Q Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, may ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the production of prostaglandins that trigger inflammation. Evening primrose oil and borage seed oil contain GLA. |
| Processed fish oil supplements are also a good idea, but avoid cod liver oil, as its levels of vitamin A and D are too high. Fish oil has been reported to possibly slow tumor growth. Flaxseed oil can be sprinkled onto food.
Q Make a daily juice using a combination of fresh organic broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, dark leafy greens, and an apple. These are high in phytochemicals such as indole-3-carbinol (I-3C) and help to combat breast cancer. The phytochemical I-3C has been shown to detoxify xenoestro-gens via the liver and to even reverse abnormal Pap smears. |
Michael T. Murray
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 A high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral formula
2. fish oil supplements a. Children: cod-liver oil (starting at 6 months of age) b. Adults: high-quality supplement (wild-caught salmon oil, DHA/EPA concentrate, or cod-liver oil)
3. Flavonoids (grapeseed extract is one of our favorites)
4. Probiotics (friendly bacteria)
A High-Potency Multiple Vitamin and Mineral Formula
Your body needs essential vitamins and minerals—each in the right amount—for your tissues to do their jobs. Every one of your billions of cells must have the right building blocks in order to function properly. |
| Another important aspect to getting the right type of oils in your diet is to eat fish rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and halibut, or take pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplements (discussed on page 116). Omega-3 fatty acids from fish offer significant protection against not only diabetes, but also heart disease and major cancers such as lung, colon, breast, and prostate.1718 While we encourage you to eat more fish, we need to give you some guidelines. Nearly all fish contains trace amounts of methyl mercury. |
| It is estimated that the use of fish oil supplements may reduce overall cardiovascular mortality by as much as 45 percent.20
We use the term pharmaceutical-grade to signify a high-potency fish oil product that is also free of heavy metals, environmental contaminants, lipid peroxides, and other harmful compounds. The specific product that we recommend is RxOmega-3 Factors from Natural Factors because we know firsthand the quality control steps employed to ensure that the product is free of contaminants. Each capsule provides 600 mg of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (400 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA). |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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| A study done in Italy found that people with Crohn's disease who took sustained-release fish oil supplements were less likely to suffer relapses than those who did not. Of the subjects in the one-year study who took fish oil, over half remained symptom-free, compared with only a quarter of those who took a placebo.
Q Researchers have not been able to find a specific genetic marker for Crohn's disease, but they have found that the illness is four times more common in Caucasians and Jewish people than in people of other ethnic backgrounds. |
| Concerns with environmental toxins found in fresh fish point to fish oil supplements as an acceptable substitute for the actual consumption of fish. Dr. Hu did not study supplements specifically, but did not rule out their theoretical use as substitutes. It is probable that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids would have the same effect on men. |
Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
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 Early morning
Breakfast Banana and pineapple smoothie
2 oat cakes
Multivitamin and mineral supplement, magnesium, vitamin C, MSM-sulfur or amino acids, probi-otics, and i tablespoon of flaxseed oil or pollution-free fish oil supplements (taken at least half an hour after fiber supplements)
Mid-morning Raw carrot and cucumber sticks
Pre-lunch Fiber supplements
Large glass of water
Lunch
Grilled chicken breast
Mixed green leaf and herb salad: In a large bowl, mix salad and chopped fresh herbs, add cherry tomatoes, dress with lemon juice and i tablespoon of olive oil. |
Jonny Bowden, M.A., C.N.S.
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 It has been used for decades as a treatment for PMS and is an essential part of the "PMS
When / take supplements
I think that given our current knowledge, the best recommendation is to take fish oil supplements really good for myself, and that helps me focus on the other things I need to be doing for my health, like eating right and exercising every day. It seems to all go together. —Maryanne DiC. men and women to feel free to add ground flaxseeds to everything they eat, including protein shakes. (There is no good reason for women not to take flaxseed oil if they like. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
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| Most fish oil supplements are 18% EPA and 12% DHA, or a total of 30% omega-3. These omega-3 fatty acids, unlike the omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed oiland other vegetable oils (such as alpha linolenic acid), keep blood triglycerides in check (high triglycerides [page 235] are generally linked with increased risk of heart disease [page 98]) and may inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis (page 27).1 EPA and DHA keep blood from clotting too quickly.
EPA and DHA also have anti-inflammatory activity. |
Sue Palmer
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 In a 2005 UK study, fish oil supplements made a noticeable difference to the concentration and academic achievement of ADHD and dyslexic children. Professor Tom Sanders, professor of nutrition at London University, has compared omega 3-rich brains to Pentium 3 microprocessors, while people whose brains have too much omega 6 are 'slow and sluggish, like a 20-year-old silicon chip'.
The wrong sort of fat
But there's a further worrying factor in the fat story. Many foods these days contain manufactured 'trans-fats' (often listed on the label as 'hydrogenated vegetable oils'). |
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