Omega-3 Fish Oil - Nature's Superstar

Omega-3 fatty acids are "good fats," shown by high numbers of scientific studies to be one of the most important nutrients needed to maintain health and prevent specific diseases. Omega-3's are classified in three main types: EPA's, DHA's and ALA's. Abundant sources of EPA's and DHA's are found in fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring. (One source of ALA is flaxseed oil.)

How Much Do You Need?
For the best benefits, you will need 1,000 mg per day of EPA/DHA. You would need to eat 6 oz. of oily fish to consume 1,000 mg of EPA/DHA. On days that you don't eat this type of fish, why not take a supplement?

Want a Great Tasting Fish Oil?
Try Frutol by Pharmax. Frutol is made of the finest pure fish oil emulsified in fruit puree, with added prebiotics, mixed tocopherols, freeze dried lecithin, and Vitamin C. The puree includes real orange, banana, pineapple, and mango. I was skeptical that the product would taste good - I've tried so many fish oils, and I hate the taste and smell. However, this product tastes yummy! The fruit puree makes it thick like creamy honey. I take it directly by the spoonful, but others like to mix it in water or juice. It is quite sweet and delicious, with NO fish smell or taste, and I actually lick the spoon clean! It is water soluble. Pharmax makes other fish oil products with essential oil of orange, but I am hooked on Frutol.

Pharmax dose: Take two teaspoons a day - Provides 1,200 mg of EPA and DHA from fish oil. Take with a meal. Keep the product refrigerated.

The Benefits of Fish Oil
The health benefits are numerous and the scientific body of evidence of its efficacy is substantial. Even if you take other fatty acids like Flaxseed, Evening Primrose, Borage, or Hemp Seed, these acids are not completely absorbed. As well, if you experience GI disease, you may have limited absorption ability.
Pharmax's fish oil is designed with absorption in mind. Pharmax's fish oil products are superior due to its emulsification and micro-encapsulation process - as a result, it is absorbed quickly and in higher levels compared to other manufacturers' products.

Proven Benefits of Fish Oil:
1. Contains two fatty acids that are only found naturally in fish - EPA and DHA.
2. Is extremely beneficial in the prevention of progressive cardiovascular disease.
3. Prevents stroke.
4. Lowers fat levels in the blood as well as the "bad" cholesterol VLAD. It increases the "good" cholesterol, HDL.
5. Reduces inflammation.
6. Shows significant results in the improvement of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, like stiff and achy joints. As a result, some patients are able to lower their anti-inflammatory medication.
7. Lowers symptoms of intestinal inflammation.
8. Regulates the heart beat.
9. Contributes to the correct development of fetal brain and mental ability if taken during pregnancy and breast feeding. (11% of the brain's weight comes from DHA.)
10. Contributes to proper nerve development and eye function in fetuses.
11. Produces improvements in cognitive function in infants, like vocabulary and comprehension.
12. Regulates mood and lowers the rate of depression.
13. Impacts behavior - Improves mental alertness and reduces apathy in the elderly.

Impressive Studies:
*In two studies of over 70,000 women and 43,000 men, it was found that taking fish oil reduced the incidence of stroke by up to 40% in women and 30% in men (Iso et al, JAMA, 2001; Hu et al, JAMA, 2002). As cited by Pharmax.

*In a study of over 11,000 people with coronary heart disease taking standard medications and measures, it was found that taking 1,000 mg of fish oil per day reduced the risk of sudden cardiac death by 45% and death by heart disease by 20% (GISSI Trial, The Lancet, 1999). As cited by Pharmax.

*In a 4-year study of 815 people between the ages of 65 and 94, it was found that those who at fish once per week or more had a 60% lower incidence of the onset of Alzheimer's than those who rarely or never ate fish (Belluzzi et al, New England Journal of Medicine, 1996). As cited by Pharmax.

*"Low levels of EPA/DHA in human breast milk correlate with raised levels of eczema and infant food allergy in children at 18 months (Duchen et al, Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, 2000)." As cited by Pharmax

*In a trial of patients experiencing Chrohns disease, it was found that taking 2.7gms of EPA/DHA per day improved remission rates at 1 year by over 100% (Belluzzi et al, New England Journal of Medicine, 1996.) As cited by Pharmax.

EPA = Eicosapentaenoic acid
DHA = Docosahexaenoic acid
ALA = Alpha Linolenic acid

References: Pharmax Nutraceutical & Biophysical Systems Catalog, January, 2005