Essential Fatty Acids

What is Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids.  They are vital to every cell in the human body, but cannot be made by the body. We have to obtain them from food or from food supplements.  Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for normal health and development - aiding cells to function, renew, and maintain themselves properly.  Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish and certain plant oils.  It is important to have a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 (another essential fatty acid) in the diet, as these two fatty acids work together, to promote health.

There are four important Omega-3 oils:

- Alpha linolenic acid or ALA - flax seed oil

- Stearidonic acid or SDA - blackcurrant seed oil

- Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA - fish oils

- Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA - fish oils

Healthy people are able to convert flax seed oil to EPA and DHA.  However, due to the stress of modern living, some people need to take extra SDA, to ensure they produce adequate EPA and DHA.

Importance of Omega-3

Flax Seed Oil (Alpha Linolenic Acid)

Flax seed oil plays a key role in the transport and metabolism of both cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats). They can lower cholesterol levels by up to 25%.

ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid) is a key componene of cell membranes in the body.  Lack of ALA can cause membranes to become 'leaky', which allows substanes which ought not to, to move in and out of cells.  This can cause allergies, eczema, asthma, and various skin conditions.

Flax seed oil is involved in oxygen transport across the cell membranes.  Many people feel more energised when first taking flax oil. Muscles recover more rapidly after exercise, because of an increased rate of lactic acid breakdown, and athletes often experience improved performance. If high levels of flax seed oil is consumed (45 - 60 ml per day), an increase in metabolic rate is observed, which helps in burning excess body fat. The increased oxygen transport improves blood circulation, which decreases the risk of gangrene in diabetics and cold extremities.

Flax seed oil is known to slow down the growth of cancer cells, candida (which causes yeast infections) and other anaerobic organisms which cannot live in the presence of oxygen.

Recent studies have shown that Flaxseed oil has a role in preventing prostate cancer.

Flax seed oil has also been proven to be beneficial in treatment programs against diabetes; as it has the ability of stabilising fat metabolism, and decreasing the amount of insulin required by diabetics. Flax seed oil also helps to treat peripheral nerve damage in Type II diabetes.

Waihi Bush Range

Solgar Linseed Oil 1250mg Softgels

Nutralife Hi omega Flaxseed Oil 1000mg 200 Caps
Nutralife Hi Omega Flaxseed Oil 1000mg 120 Caps

EPA and DHA (fish oils)

Fish oil comes from cold water fish, and is a natural source of marine omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish oils are important for normal development and function of the brain. The highest concentrations of Omega-3 essential fatty acids in the body occur in the brain, retina and testes.  There can be irreversible damage to vision and learning ability if the foetus and young baby are deficient in Omega-3.  It is well recognised that omega-3 fatty acids are a key factor in the formation of brain tissue and brain function in infants.
Efanatal 60 Caps
Efanatal 180 Caps

Mumomega Pregnancy 30 Capsules

Eye Q Baby 30 Caps

Recent research is linking brain disorders as diverse as Multiple Sclerosis, Post Natal Depression, Schizophrenia and Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD) with lack of fish oils in the body.

Recently, it has been shown that Omega-3 fatty acids enhance the growth of extensions to nerve cells. This is critical in brain development, and repairing damaged nervous tissue. Fish oil consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.  This is most likely due to a protective effect on brain tissue. Regular intake of fish oil decreases age-related mental and cognitive decline.

EPA is used by the body to make eicosanoids.  These are hormone-like messengers in the body, which control many important functions.  EPA therefore has an essential role in carrying out these functions:

- Fish oil contributes to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.  Heart attacks, strokes, phlebitis and pulmonary embolism, are initially caused by clot formation.  This is the result of platelet stickiness.  Flax seed oil can bring platelet stickiness to normal, and for this to occur, a 15mL dose must be taken daily.

- Fish oil also helps to maintain a healthy blood pressure.

- Fish oils are important in the inflammatory response, which controls all inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis.

- EPA also has a role in controlling PMS and obesity, by managing sodium excretion.

- Another significant activity controlled by EPA is immune function.  The immune response acts on conditions such as virus infections, cancer, AIDS and allergies.

All these regulatory functions are reversing the 'fight or flight' (or stress response) in the body, so if you are deficient in Omega-3 you do not recover normally from the stress response.

Fish Oil in Cancer

Fish Oils are commonly taken by cancer patients.  The growth of colon cancer cells is reduced by takng fish oil.  Fish oil consumption has also been linked with preventing many types of cancer, such as breat cancer, and prostate cancer.

Solgar Omega-3 30 Softgels
Solgar Omega-3 60 Softgels 

Good Health FlaxOmega-3 Oil 1000mg 150 Caps

Nutralife Omega Science Natal Capsules 30

Nutralife Omega Science Omega 3 Concentrate Caps 60

Nutralife Omega Science Woman Gel Caps 60s

Kordels Omega 3 Marine Fish Oil 1000mg 180 Caps
Kordels Omega 3 Marine Fish Oil 1000mg 300 Caps

Kordels Omega 3 Salmon Oil 1000mg 300 Caps
Kordels Omega 3 Salmon Oil 1000mg 180 Caps
Kordels Omega 3 Salmon Oil 1000mg 70 Caps

Thompsons Omega 3 Salmon Oil 1000mg 180 Caps
Thompsons Omega 3 Salmon Oil 1000mg 300 Caps

Fish Oil in Arthritis

Studies have shown that the regular intake of fish oil supplements improves morning stiffness and joint tenderness, in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Fish oil has anti-inflammatory effects, which reduces joint swelling and pain associated with arthritis, and also supports joint mobility.

Fish oil has also been shown to delay or even reverse joint cartilage destruction, as well as lessening pain and inflammation.  GLA (Gamma-linolenic acid) is a type of Omega-6 fatty acid found in evening primrose oil, black currant oil and borage oil. These oils have shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of arthritis.

Lyprinol 50 Caps

Good Health Mussel Nz Green Lipped 300mg 150 Caps

Omega-3 Oils

Omega-3 oils containing fish oil and flaxseed, are very important for the skin.  A good balance of Omega-3 and 6 will immensely benefit your skin.  The essential fatty acids help plump up the cells within the skin, leaving you with softer skin that is less prone to dryness.  A deficiency in essential fatty acids such as omega-3 can lead to dryness, scaliness and redness of the skin.

Omega 3 products

Helpful Links

Omega 3 supplements - consumer.org.nz

Essential Fatty Acids - Healthline.com