Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and Natural Healing

Omega 3 fatty acids are again hitting the headlines following reports of significant improvements in concentration, behaviour and learning in children taking fish oil supplements (e.g. " The Human Mind" and "A Child of our Time" to name but two).

We believe in the importance of Omega 3 and Omega 3 is our main focus on our web site.

The Brain & Fish Oils

We have a great deal of information regarding the exciting possibility that fish oil could help the brain and may be helpful for a wide variety of conditions. Please see our individual sections for more information:

• ADHD, Hyperactivity, ADD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia
• Autism Spectrum, including Aspergers
• Alzheimer's & Dementia
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME & CFS)
• Epilepsy
• Depression

Cardiovascular Health and Omega 3

In the 1980s the omega-3 EFAs hit the news in a big way because of a discovery by Danish researchers involving the Inuits, or Eskimos. Two things interested scientists about the Inuits: their diets and their health. The Inuit diet is rich in cold-water fish and the fat of whales and seals. All of these foods contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). Yet the Inuits have very low levels of heart disease despite their massive fat intake - and low levels of rheumatoid arthritis as well.

There is a consensus amongst scientists that a diet high in fish - especially cold-water varieties such as salmon, sardines and mackerel reduces the incidence of heart disease. That´s why they've been investigating omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil supplements.

Scientific evidence suggests that fish oil - as dietary supplements - can decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. Fish oil has been found to decrease certain blood fats called triglycerides, raise HDL ("good") cholesterol, and thin the blood.

More recent studies suggest that Omega-3 fatty acids also prevent fatal cardiac arrhythmia. These effects might be why eating fish prevents heart attacks.

Arthritis & Rheumatism

The omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial also concerning rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). A number of double-blind studies found that fish oil supplements reduced symptoms of both RA and OA.

• View article abstract by Darlington LG and Stone TW. Antioxidants and fatty acids in the amelioration of rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders. British Journal of Nutrition 2001;85(3):251-69 (Medline)

Allergies and Asthma

Double-blind research shows that fish oil partially reduces reactions to allergens that can trigger attacks in some asthmatics. Although a few researchers report small but significant improvements when asthmatics supplement with fish oil, reviews of the research show that most fish oil studies with asthmatics come up empty-handed. It is possible that some of these trials failed because they did not last long enough to demonstrate an effect. There is evidence that children who eat oily fish may have a much lower risk of getting asthma. Moreover, in a double-blind trial, children who received 300 mg per day of fish oil (providing 84 mg of EPA* and 36 mg of DHA) experienced significant improvement of asthma symptoms. It should be noted that these benefits were obtained under circumstances in which exposure to food allergens and environmental allergens was strictly controlled. Though the evidence supporting the use of fish oil remains somewhat conflicting, eating more fish and supplementing with fish oil may still be worth considering, especially among children with asthma.

Omega 3 from Plant Sources:

Flaxseed oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids, but they are somewhat different from the fatty acids in fish oil and might differ in its beneficial properties. For more information about Omega 3 from plant sources, please read our section on Barlean's Oils.