Omega Factor
If fish oil is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, researchers now are pondering the potential benefit in treating osteoarthritis, a much more common condition that affects over 60 million people in the US.
What would you say about a naturally occurring compound that has been proven to lessen depression, prevent heart disease and sudden death from heart attacks, lower blood fats, reduce high blood pressure, prevent (perhaps cure) arthritis, and ameliorate attention deficit disorder?
What if this naturally occurring substance is dietary oil? Your first thought might be "snake oil"-that "cures-all" liquid that was touted by salesmen in covered wagons of yesteryear...but more on that later.
Today, using strict scientific methods, researchers have uncovered a plethora of beneficial effects of a dietary substance that has been around for as long as man has walked the earth. That substance is the naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids that are present in many fish such as salmon, swordfish, cod, and tuna.
A recent study examined the effect of adding fish oils to the diets of patients with diagnosed depression. The researchers wanted to determine if the oils could help prevent "break-through" depression, which often occurs when the patient is taking a therapeutic dose of appropriate medication. They were prompted to do the study because the residents in countries who have a high rate of consumption of omega-3 fatty acids have a much lower rate of depression than countries with a lower consumption of the fatty acids. This could be a chance occurrence or a real factor.
The study involved 20 patients with severe depressive disorder and the subjects were given either omega-3 supplements or a placebo for a four-week period. By week three of the treatment there was a highly significant beneficial result for those in the treatment group.
Heart Smart
In 1976, a group of researchers began the Nurses' Health Study where 121,700 female nurses living in the US completed questionnaires about lifestyle and medical history. Through these questionnaires, the researchers were able to quantify the dietary intake of fish, particularly those fish that were high in omega-3's.
Over a 16-year period, the study found that women with the highest intake of fish had a lower risk of heart disease (even adjusting for other heart risk factors such as smoking, age, etc). For those who consumed fish five times per week, the reduction in risk of heart disease was nearly cut in half. In a similar Physicians' Health Study, researchers looked at apparently healthy male doctors who died suddenly from cardiac disease. These men had no previous history of heart trouble or obvious symptoms.
By having many blood samples available from these heart attack victims who had been a part of the study since the onset, the researchers were able to measure the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood and compare that to a control group of living men who had similar characteristics. They found that those men with the highest levels of omega-3's had the lowest risk of sudden death, suggesting that these fatty acids might also protect the heart from going into cardiac arrest.
Joint Concerns
Rheumatoid arthritis affects about one percent of the US population. Although there are many recent breakthroughs in medical management of this problem, there is now increasing attention given to the role that fish oil plays in joint function.
If fish oil is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, researchers now are pondering the potential benefit in treating osteoarthritis, a much more common condition that affects over 60 million people in the US.
In a study published by Cardiff University in Wales, research confirmed what thousands of people with arthritis have believed for years-cod liver oil (containing omega-3 fatty acids) is effective in relieving joint pain and can slow, and very possibly reverse, the destruction of joint cartilage by this disease.
What's the magic in this oil?
Science has proven that the omega-3's work by switching off several tissue destroying enzymes - the same enzymes that destroy cartilage. While the researchers suggest this treatment for those patients who don't respond to (or cannot tolerate) the usual pain relieving drugs for arthritis, there are many other health professionals who are eyeing this information as a primary drug treatment. After all, many times drugs only mask the pain - they do nothing to halt the progression of the disease.
Fat attack
Although not as effective as some medications, omega-3's are effective in reducing blood fat levels (lowering triglycerides by 20-50%). Although fish oils will typically raise levels of LDL (the 'bad' cholesterol), the simple addition of garlic to the diet prevents this rise.
Heads up and weighing in
When used orally for migraine control in adolescents, there is some convincing evidence that omega-3 supplementation taken daily for two months can significantly reduce the frequency and the severity of migraines. For patients suffering from obesity and diabetes, fish oils may improve weight loss as well as lower blood glucose levels at doses of 3 grams per day (higher doses, as noted below, may increase glucose levels).
Fish oils have been proposed as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) since some studies have suggested that symptoms may be more common in children with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers are currently addressing this theory. Indeed, eating sardines in pregnancy can help prevent low birth weight and improve the baby's brain development. Sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids and there is no risk of mercury contamination, since this small fish is at the bottom of the predatory food chain.
The Memory Factor and More
There are also positive connections of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Individuals who eat fish once a week or more have a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease than those who rarely or never eat fish. Other research suggests these omega-3 fatty acids help nerve cells fire more efficiently, thus boosting memory abilities.
Let's not forget hypertension, a leading killer of unsuspecting Americans. Fish oils seem to have a beneficial effect on this disorder as well, when used for at least two months.
Cautions
These are but a few of the many conditions that are potentially benefited by these substances. However, before you rush out to take a handful of omega-3 capsules, be aware of some precautions - and be sure to check with your doctor first.
When taking cod liver oil, be aware that this formulation contains vitamin A and D, both of which can be deleterious to your health if taken in too high a dose. Many studies used three teaspoons per day, but this dosage approaches and may even exceed the normal recommended amount of these vitamins. Also, people with bleeding tendencies should not take this formulation or doses greater than three grams of omega-3 fats. Doses greater than three grams a day might affect the immune function and therefore should be used with caution in the elderly who have suppressed immune function or anyone with HIV infection or AIDS. High doses (6 grams a day) can also raise blood sugar in diabetics.
Ordinarily, fish oils are well tolerated at normal doses. Most patients benefit from one gram of the omega-3s per day (one teaspoon or 3 capsules). Concern regarding fish contamination with mercury or pesticides is always warranted when consuming natural fish products as a method of obtaining these important compounds. Fish typically contain 10 to 1000 parts per billion of mercury, but for those consuming the oils, it is good to know that the mercury accumulates in the muscle of the fish and not the oil (found in the skin). Lab analysis of 20 omega-3 and fish oil products found no detectable levels of mercury.
As always, check with your health care professional before embarking on any new supplements; however, it would appear that there is a definite role for omega-3 fatty acids in maintaining health and well-being in everyone.
And what exactly was in that snake oil of yesteryear that was apparently so popular?
Omega-3 fatty acids, of course.
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"Omega Factor"
authored by:
Alan Clark, M.D., practiced emergency medicine and family practice for 28 years and devoted his time to writing and providing lectures for students physicians, and the public as well as directing a free clinic for indigent patients in his hometown. D...
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