Fish oil and whole, un-processed oils in general are just what the doctor ordered. Especially coming out of our 30 year ?fat fast? where Americans avoided as much fat as possible, it is good to hear that we can add some good, healthy fats into our diet. There's been increasing media attention being paid to the use of omega-3 fish oils (The Today Show, January 31, 2007), and even primary care providers are recommending them for their patients.
Fish oils have been proven to lower our risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Why is fish oil important?
As with a variety of fats, our body requires a significant amount to survive. In many of my articles and in my book, I discuss the ?exchange of life?; the process by which water, oxygen and nutrients are brought into each of our 100 trillion cells and how carbon dioxide, wastes and toxins are moved out of the cells. This process must flow freely in order for our cells and our bodies to be healthy.
The cell membrane, made up of mostly fats, is at the center of this exchange process. These membranes are like its skin: a protective barrier that is selective about what it lets in and out; the softer and more supple it is, the more functional and more beautiful we are, inside and out!
Stress, toxicity, poor diet, poor rest/sleep and poor water intake can all cause the cell membranes in our bodies to be come rigid and prematurely aged. The more rigid and unhealthy our cell membranes, the more likely we are to suffer from symptoms like lethargy, aches/stiffness, headaches and more. Left uncorrected, symptoms can lead to more serious concerns of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic pain and even chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Don't fret!
By improving our lifestyle and getting the proper amount of healthy fats into our diet, we can create soft, supple, healthy cell membranes. This is the path to truly regaining and maintaining our health.
All sounds pretty good so far, right? Well, actually it is. So what are my caveats?
1. While I most often recommend patients get the nutrients they need directly from their source (in this case by eating fish), I actually do not recommend patients eat fish 2-3 times per week. Because of the reports of fish contamination, especially with mercury, it is not a good idea to eat fish too often. A couple of servings per month is plenty.
2. Don't just use fish oils. Current medical research indicates the VARIETY of fats in the diet is as important as what types and how much. There are many healthy, delicious oils out there for you. There's the classic olive and sunflower oils, but what about the nut oils? Almond, walnut, sesame and peanut (actually a legume) oil are all excellent choices. These oils will improve the health and flexibility of your cells? membranes all while highly satisfying your taste buds!
You can and should use a small to moderate amount of more saturated (thicker) oils like butter (organic when possible) and coconut oil. Again, the body needs a variety of fats. Too many of the same kind of fat can lead to imbalanced cellular membranes and can also degrade our health. Healthy oils are always sold in glass bottles or in the large metal cans, like olive oil. Oils sold in plastic are a no-no, as the packaging indicates that the oils are over-processed and not very healthy for you.
3. Avoid processed, trans or hydrogenated fats. These fats have been processed and altered in ways that make them unhealthy to the body. This includes margarine, processed butter substitutes, cheap vegetable oils (in plastic containers) and foods fried in hydrogenated oils (chips, snacks, restaurant fried foods).
4. Cook with fats and oils as little as possible. Heating fats can damage (denature) them, making them less or un-usable in the body. I suggest cooking with just enough to keep food from sticking to the pot/pan and then adding the oil to the food on your plate like a condiment. This is not a new concept, as it is done in many countries throughout the world.
So how much oil do I need in a day, doc?
Well, that is different for everyone. As part of my Bio-Logikal Diet, I am able to calculate how much fat a person needs in a day and we build it into their meal plan. Most people need 2-3 servings (teaspoons) of fresh, pure oil daily.
Choose your oil supplements with care. The toxicity that may be present in fish may spill over into supplements if the manufacturer isn't taking the utmost care to purify them out, and without damaging the oil. Only use a fish oil product from a manufacturer that provides specific information on their purity specifications.
Fish oil can also present a problem with flavor. Manufacturers are using different natural flavorings to conceal the taste of fish that might ?repeat? or be ?burped?. Flavorings must be strong to conceal the fish flavor (lemon, orange, strawberry) and often patients burp up the flavor taste instead. Therefore, I strongly recommend using an ?enteric coated? fish oil product. This natural (extra) coating process allows the softgel to move through the stomach and into the small intestine where it opens and is absorbed. This minimizes or eliminates the ?repeating? and makes taking this kind of supplement much more rewarding. The enteric coating process is a bit expensive, so you will see EC products are a bit higher in cost, but worth it in my opinion.
I recommend Terra-EPA, a highly purified, enteric coated fish oil (600 EPA/400 DHA). I am also increasingly recommending our Terra-EFA which contains a combination of fish, flax and borage oils all blended together in a softgel capsule.
In health,
Dr. Brett Saks
Our neighbor suffers from Alzheimer's (AHLZ-high-merz) disease. It is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys one's memory and ability to learn, reason, make decisions, communicate and carry out his daily activities. As the disorder progresses, individuals also experience changes in personality and behavior such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, delusions or hallucinations.
Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, refers to a group of conditions that gradually destroy brain cells and lead to progressive decline in mental function. The disease advances at widely different rates, with a duration varying from 3 to 20 years.
Our neighbor is already in the third stage of the disorder, Mild Cognitive decline. Sometimes he forgets the names of his family members, his schedules, or where he put his keys or eyeglasses. When he reaches stage four, Moderate Cognitive decline (Mild or early stage), his knowledge of recent occasions or events will decrease. He will be unable to perform complex tasks. He will have reduced memory of his personal life. He will also be withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations
At Stage 5, Moderately Severe cognitive decline, he will need some assistance with daily activities. He will be unable to recall important details as his current address, telephone number or name of the college or high school from which he graduated. He will be confused about where he is or what day it is.
How does this happen? Let's take a look at Alzheimer's under the microscope.
Beta-amyloid comes from a larger protein found in the fatty membrane surrounding nerve cells. It is chemically "gluey" and slowly develops into plaques. The most destructive form of beta-amyloid may be a group of a few pieces rather than the plaques themselves. The small clumps may obstruct cell-to-cell signaling at synapses and may also activate immune system cells that trigger inflammation and devour disabled cells. Vital cell transport system made of proteins is destroyed by tangles. In healthy areas of the brain, we can see that the transport system is organized in orderly parallel strands like railroad tracks. Food molecules, cell parts and other key materials travel along these 'tracks,' and a protein called tau helps the tracks stay straight. In areas where tangles form, tau collapses into twisted strands called tangles. The tracks are no longer straight; instead, they fall apart and disintegrate. Since nutrients and other essential supplies can no longer move through the cells, the cells eventually die.
In advanced Alzheimer's disease such as stage 6, Severe Cognitive decline, most of the cortex is seriously damaged. The brain shrinks noticeably due to widespread cell death. Individuals will be unable to communicate, recognize family and loved ones and care for themselves. He will have increasing episodes of urinary or fecal incontinence, impaired swallowing, and significant personality changes and behavioral symptoms. He may wander and become lost. When he reaches the final stage, he can no longer respond to his environment, nor speak and control his movement. His reflexes will be abnormal and his muscles rigid. If he has no other serious illness, the loss of brain function itself will cause death.
My neighbor's family is at a loss as to how to treat him. Currently, there may be no cure for Alzheimer's yet, but new treatments are possible due to heightened awareness of the biology of the disease. Research has also shown that effective care and support can improve the quality of life of the patients. As an alternative treatment, several herbal remedies and other dietary supplements are promoted to cure Alzheimer's disease and other related diseases.
Research has shown the link between high intake of omega-3s to a possible reduction in risk of dementia or cognitive decline. The chief omega-3 in the brain is DHA, found in fatty membranes that surround nerve cells, especially at the microscopic junctions where cells unite. There are theories that omega-3s might influence dementia risk. Omega-3 also provides benefit for the heart and blood vessels; has anti-inflammatory effects; and supports and protects nerve cell membranes. There is also preliminary evidence that omega-3s may provide cure to depression and bipolar disorder (manic depression).
There is a report in the April 2006 Nature that described the first direct evidence as to how omega-3s might have a helpful effect on nerve cells (neurons). The researchers found that omega-3s stimulate growth of the branches that connect one cell to another. Rich branching creates a dense 'neuron forest' which provides the basis of the brain's capacity to process, store and retrieve information.
My neighbor is blessed to have a caring and supportive family. He has frequent consultations with his doctor. And his diet includes fish oils and plant oils, which are the primary dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids. His meals contain cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, and herring. Who knows, there may be cure after all.
Both Dr. Brett Saks & Roberto Bell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dr. Brett Saks has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aquarium Fish, Wellness and Parenting. Dr. Brett Saks is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD), author and lecturer. His book ?The Bio-Logikal Diet: Your Guide to Optimal Health? helps readers develop the knowledge to make better, more informed lifestyle choices. Dr. Brett Saks's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.
Roberto Bell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food and Drink, Health and Colon Cleanse. Read more about , ,. Roberto Bell's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.