About Omega-3s

The FDA recognizes Omega-3 as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) up to 3 grams daily.  Clinical trials consistently report no or mild side effects from Omega-3 supplementation.  One recent clinical study comments on the safety of Omega-3: The positive human clinical effects of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are now the subject of more than 900 scientific articles, with many showing that Omega-3 EFA fish oil acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and, thus, a possible alternative choice to NSAIDs. This research supports its safe and effective use for many inflammation-related conditions and its low incidence of side effects.

Omega-3 has been frequently praised in the press as one of nature’s miracles.  Omega-3 can typically be found in cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna as well as walnuts and flax seed oil.  Scientific research has supported much of the praise with hundreds of clinical trials conducted by many of the world’s most prestigious research institutions including UCLA, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Yale and Columbia.  Omega-3s are essential fatty acids (EFAs) known for their anti-inflammatory powers to decrease the immune response (for instance, helps those with auto-immune diseases) and increases the time it takes for blood to clot (helps those at risk for heart disease).  Omega-6 fatty acids, on the other hand, also essential fatty acids, largely do the opposite – they challenge the immune system and increase the inflammatory response. Omega-6 fatty acids mainly derive from sunflower, cottonseed, safflower, and soy oils.

Throughout much of human history, Omega-3 and Omega-6 were in close balance with one another, with about a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio.   However, today’s Western diets are low in Omega-3 and very high in Omega-6.  As a result, we now observe a 1:30 ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 EFAs. This imbalance of inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids and their derivatives, dominate the anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids in most Western Diets.

It should therefore come us little surprise that cultures with high dietary intake of fish rich in Omega-3s such as the Eskimos and Japanese have a low incidence of chronic inflammatory disorders when compared to their Westernized ethnic counterparts.  Recognizing this interesting correlation, modern science has put Omega-3 to the test through hundreds of controlled clinical trials across a range of diseases. High dose (~1-2.5 grams daily) Omega-3 supplementation has been shown repeatedly in clinical trials to produce anti-inflammatory benefits.   While lower doses have been found largely ineffective for arthritis, they can still yield important cardiovascular and other health benefits.  Perhaps most importantly, high dose Omega-3 supplementation has been shown in several double-blind placebo controlled studies to reduce or eliminate the need for harmful long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen.

Restore your diet today by re-establishing nature’s balance and increase your daily intake of the favorable Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids!

References

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