Auum Omega 3 Studies
If you are not prepared to make radical and permanent changes
in your diet to include natural foods high in Omega 3, such as
fish, the most immediate answer would be Omega 3 supplements. Omega
3 fatty acids which increase metabolic rates, can be used for weight
loss. The right kind of fat can actually help you with losing weight
and boosting your good hormone levels.
Manufactured and produced in Canada and under strict control Government Control.
This particular Omega 3 is very rich in DPA. DPA is only found
in significant amounts in human milk, and seal oil. This component
is almost as important as either EPA or DHA. About 1/3 of the long
chain Omega-3 fatty acids circulating in human blood is attributable
to DPA. In the blood vessel walls, EPA can actually be converted
to DPA as the effective agent.
AUUM Omega 3 is processed from 100% superior
grade seal oils, containing higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids
than fish oils, in particular DPA.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DPA RICH SEAL OIL COMPARED
WITH FISH OIL IN LOWERING PLASMA TRIGLYCERIDES AND INCREASING
HDL-CHOLESTEROL IN HYPER-TRIGLYCERIDAEMIC SUBJECTS
Barbara Meyer 1, Amanda Lane 1, Neil Mann 2
1 School of Health Sciences and Smart Foods Centre, University
of Wollongong, NSW 2522
2 SCHOOL APPLIED SCEINCES (Food Science), RMIT University,
Melbourne, 3000
Background - Numerous health benefits have been attributed to
both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA, 22:6n3) found in fish oil. However, docosapentaenoic
acid (DPA, 22:5n3) found particularly in red meat has been
less well studied. Australians consume 6 times more meat than
we do fish. The richest commercial capsule source of DPA available
is seal oil.
Objective - To compare the effects of
DPA rich seal oil supplementation with DHA rich fish oil, on
measures of plasma lipids in hypertriglyceridaemic subjects.
Design
- A randomized, parallel, placebo controlled, double blind
study was conducted in 52 hypertriglyceridaemic subjects. They
were randomly allocated to one of three groups receiving a
total of 1g/d EPA, DPA & DHA but different relative amounts:
seal oil capsules (360mg EPA, 250mg DPA, 450mg DHA), fish oil
capsules (210mg EPA, 30mg DPA, 810mg DHA) or placebo capsules
(containing a vegetable oil) for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples
were taken at baseline and at 6 week post intervention. Blood
samples were tested for red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids and
plasma lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol
and HDL-cholesterol). Results - The placebo group did not change
at all in any of the parameters measured. Seal oil
supplementation significantly increased incorporation of
DPA (from 2.5-2.7%), DHA (from 4.9-5.8%) and EPA (from 1-1.8%),
p<0.0005), whereas fish oil increased incorporation of DHA
only (from 5.2-6.2%), p<0.01 into RBC. Baseline
plasma triglyceride levels were not significantly different
between the 3 groups. Plasma triglycerides remained unchanged
in the placebo group (2.30-2.36mmol/l), whilst reductions of
7% (2.24-2.09mmol/l) and 14% (2.54-2.19mmol/l) were seen in
the fish oil and seal oil groups respectively, but only the
seal oil group reached significance (p<0.05). No differences
were seen in any groups in HDL-cholesterol levels. Conclusion Ð Seal
oil supplementation increased RBC levels of DPA, EPA and DHA
whilst DHA rich fish oil supplementation increased RBC levels
of DHA only. It appears that seal oil is more effective
than fish oil at lowering plasma triglyceride levels in hypertriglyceridaemic
subjects.
OMEGA 3 (SEAL OIL) AND INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
The effect of giving seal oil to 10 patients suffering from
inflammatory diseases (IBD, chronic inflammatory disease, ulcerative
colitis, and Crohns disease) and joint pain.
A pilot study, published in 2002(Arslan et al. 2002)- When given
seal oil (10 ml, 3 times a day) for 10 days via a (nasoduodenal)
tube into the small intestine, the patients reported an amelioration
of their joint pains. However, the intestinal symptoms were only
slightly improved. The treatment was repeated for five of the patients
at a later stage, and they were examined by a rheumatologist before
and after the treatment, confirming that the joint pain was reduced.
The results of Arslan's pilot study were confirmed through a
controlled study published in 2004 (Bjorkkjer et al. 2004). Here,
19 IBD patients with joint pain got the same treatment with seal
oil or soy oil for 10 days through a nasoduodenal tube, and were
followed up for 6 months after the treatment by a rheumatologist.
During the study period the patients receiving seal oil claimed
improvement of their joint pain compared to the patients given
soy oil. The effect of the seal oil lasted up to several months
after the treatment.
Reduced joint pain after short-term duodenal administration
of seal oil in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: comparison
with soy oil.
Rheumatic joint pain is a common extra-intestinal complication
of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because the high ratio
of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (FAs) of the Western diet might promote
rheumatic disorders, we sought to compare the effects of short-term
duodenal administration of n-3-rich seal oil and n-6-rich soy
oil on IBD-related joint pain. METHODS: Nineteen patients with
IBD-related joint pain were included in the study; 9 had Crohn
disease and 10 had ulcerative colitis. Ten milliliters seal
oil (n = 10) or soy oil (n = 9) was self-administered through
a nasoduodenal feeding tube 3 times daily for 10 days. RESULTS:
Compared with soy oil treatment, seal oil significantly reduced
the duration of morning stiffness (P = 0.024), number of tender
joints (P = 0.035), intensity of pain (P = 0.025) and the doctor's
scoring of rheumatic disease activity (P = 0.025) at the end
of the 10-day treatment period. Analysis of the effects as
area under the curve (area between the curve and baseline,
zero) for the entire period from start of treatment until 6
months' post-treatment suggested a long-lasting beneficial
effect of seal oil administration on joint pain, whereas soy
oil tended (not significantly) to aggravate the condition.
Consistently, the serum ratios of n-6 to n-3 FAs (P < 0.01) and arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid (P < 0.01)
were reduced after treatment with seal oil.
CONCLUSION:
The results suggest distinctive, differential prolonged effects
on IBD-related joint pain of short-term duodenal administration
of n-3-rich seal oil (significant improvement) and n-6-rich soy
oil (tendency to exacerbation).
More information: Arslan G., Brunborg L.A., Froyland L.,
Brun J.G., Valen M., and Berstad A. (2002). Effects of duodenal
seal oil administration in patients with inflammatory bowel
disease. Lipids 37, 935-940. Bjorkkjer T., Brunborg L.A., Arslan
G., Lind R.A., Brun J.G., Valen M., Klemetsen B., Berstad A.,
and Froyland L. (2004). Reduced joint pain after short-term
duodenal administration of seal oil in patients with inflammatory
bowel disease: Comparison with soy oil. Scand. J. Gastroenterology.
11, 1088-1094. Brunborg L.A., Julshamn K., Nordtvedt R., and
Froyland L. (2005).
Modulation of atherosclerotic risk factors by
seal oil: a preliminary assessment.
Bonefeld-Jorgensen EC, Moller SM, Hansen JC.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, University
of Aarhus, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
We examined whether dietary supplementation with seal oil influenced
the risk factors of atherosclerosis in healthy volunteers. Two
intervention studies were carried out as preliminary steps in a
larger project which aim at elucidating the disease preventive
potential of seal oil. In study I ten healthy volunteers added
10 capsules of seal oil to their normal Western diet for six weeks.
Blood tests were analyzed for total-, HDL-, and LDL-cholesterol
and plasma triglyceride, and the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acid was
determined in plasma and erythrocyte membranes. In study II we
examined the effect in five healthy volunteers who had only 5 capsules
of seal oil daily for six weeks. As an additional test in study
II, the effect on the proinflammatory TNF-alpha cytokine in lymphocytes
was determined. A slightly decreased, however, not significant
effect was observed for each of the cholesterol's after seal oil
supplementation. In both studies plasma triglyceride and the n-6/n-3
fatty acid ratio of plasma and erythrocytes were significantly
reduced upon seal oil intake. During the intervention period of
study II a distinct reduced level of TNF-alpha was observed in
isolated lymphocytes. The examinations suggest that supplementation
of seal oil, 10 capsules or 5 capsules/day, may have beneficial
effects on factors thought to be associated with cardiovascular
and thrombotic diseases.
Fish Oils and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Eicosapantaenoic acid (EPA) is the essential fatty acid found
in fish and is also produced by the desaturation and chain lengthening
of linolenic acid which is found in soya bean and rapeseed oil.
Commercially prepared capsules of fish oil are made up of EPA,
e.g. Max EPA.
Fish oils in the past have had varying degrees of success, mainly
due to their unpalatability and side effects, e.g. heartburn, belching,
diarrhoea, flatulence and bad breath. Relatives living with patients
taking the capsules sometimes found the odour intolerable.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are important in the production
of substances called prostaglandins, which have an effect on the
inflammation in the body and the clotting of the blood. EFAs belong
to either the n-3 or n-6 groups of fatty acids and must be obtained
from the dietary intake of plant sources, e.g. vegetable oils and
nuts, as both humans and animals are unable to synthesise their
own.
Linolenic acid belongs to the n-3 group, which is transformed
along the Omega 3 pathway into a series of highly polyunsaturated
fats, the most important being EPA. This pathway is extremely active
in marine animals and fish is a rich source of EPA.
Linoleic acid belongs to the n-6 group and is transformed into
two important fatty acids:
a) Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). Evening Primrose oil is a rich
source.
b) Arachidonic Acid.
Prostaglandins derived from arachidonic acid are very potent
while those formed from GLA and EPA are less so. It is the disturbance
in the metabolism of prostaglandins, which is thought to contribute
to many inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma,
psoriasis and certain clot-forming conditions such as coronary
artery disease.
Marine oils in man obtained from the diet or supplementation
may alter the clotting of the blood, thereby possibly reducing
the risk of clots forming in the vessels. Eskimos in Greenland
have a diet rich in fatty whale and seal meat thus containing a
higher proportion of EPA to arachidonic acid and tend to have a
prolonged bleeding time with a reduced death rate from coronary
thrombosis (blood clots in the heart).
Clinical trials have shown fish oils (EPA) to be effective in
IBD, probably due to the increased production of less potent prostaglandins
at the expense of the more potent one, (i.e. from arachidonic acid).
A double-blind crossover study conducted by Stenson and colleagues
which involved patients with active ulcerative colitis taking both
fish oils, (Max EPA) and placebo, showed improvement in sigmoidoscopic
and clinical scores whilst taking the fish oils. Although patients
continued their present medication, i.e. corticosteroids and 5-ASAs,
a steroids sparing effect was noted when fish oils were taken.
Another study by McColl and colleagues reported a decline in
disease activity in a 12-week open study using Max EPA. Results
may have been subjective as both patients and doctors were aware
that they were receiving fish oils. However, colonic mucosa was
found to contain increased amounts of EPA.
New preparations of EPA, which are enteric coated, have meant
a dose reduction (1/3 of that previously) with consequently fewer
side effects and therefore increased compliance, making long-term
treatment more acceptable.
A recent study by Belluzzi and colleagues in Italy showed that
an enteric coated (EC) fish oil preparation (pur EPA) was effective
in reducing the rate of relapse of Crohn's disease patients in
remission.
78 patients with Crohn's disease were randomised to receive
either 3 capsules of fish oil 3 times daily or 3 capsules of placebo
3 times daily (there was no difference in odour between the two).
Patients were clinically in remission and off medication three
months before trial entry - blood tests, however, indicated a mild
increase in inflammation.
Out of 39 patients in the fish oil group, 11 relapsed compared
to 27 out of 39 in the placebo group. After one year of treatment
23 patients in the fish oil group were still in remission compared
to only 10 in the placebo group.
The actual mechanism for the effect of the EPA is not clearly
understood and more research is needed to determine this. It has
been speculated that the lack of an enzyme involved in the Omega
3 and Omega 6 pathways is responsible for the susceptibility of
certain individuals to these conditions and that by supplementing
the diet, this acts as a form of replacement therapy.
Several factors have been shown to influence the one-year relapse
rate of Crohn's disease:
1. Diet (45%)
2. Long-term 5-ASA treatment (40%).
3. Metronidazole following ileal resection (shows the relationship
of bacteria in the lumen and inflamed mucosa).
4. Quitting smoking (40%).
Perhaps a diet rich in fish oils could reduce the relapse rate.
The Japanese have a fish-rich diet and low incidence of IBD, however,
this is not so in Scandinavia! (where fish consumption is also
high)
EC EPA has shown a significant reduction in the relapse rate
of Crohn's disease and also has anti-inflammatory properties as
patients had laboratory evidence of inflammation on entry to the
trial in Italy, which improved on taking fish oils. This therapy
may offer significant benefit, particularly as it has been shown
to have steroid sparing effects. Azathioprine is used for similar
effects but taking the drug requires very close monitoring.
Although caution must still be exercised as high doses of fish
oils also have side effects, (i.e. increase bleeding tendency due
to their effect on the clotting mechanism), on balance, it would
seem to be a cheaper, safer and more acceptable form of treatment.
Health Benefits of Seal Oil
In an attempt to provide evidence of the health benefits
of seal oil, the Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University
of Newfoundland and Labrador, with funding from the Fisheries
Diversification Program, began a research project dedicated to
providing evidence of the effectiveness of seal oil in reducing
symptoms of Arthritis...(Read
Full Article)
Fat acid clue to cystic fibrosis
(2/15/04 - (BBC News)
"An imbalance of fatty acids may cause the lung inflammation
experienced by cystic fibrosis patients, scientists have suggested. (Read
full article)
Fish oil capsules lower in contaminants: study
(2/19/04 - CTV News)
"a person would need to take more than 300 fish oil
capsules to be exposed to the amount of PCBs in a single serving
of farmed salmon...(Read
full article)
Docosahexaenoic acid and post-partum depression - is there a link?
(2003 - Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2003;12 Suppl:S37)
"Logistic regression analysis indicated that a 1%
increase in plasma DHA was associated with a 59% reduction
in reporting of depressive symptoms
Makrides M, Crowther CA, Gibson RA, Gibson RS, Skeaff
CM.
Child Health Research Institute, North Adelaide,SA
5006.
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