Issue 2.27.14 Tramatizing “Brain Drain”…2 of 2 – Your Health Detective

Avoid a Shrinking Brain, Inflammation & Heart Disease, Naturally

Continuing my investigative report on the health-depleting effects of trans-fats and the oils/fats that are actually healthy, the following are updated studies important to share…Click to continue reading…

Scientific Perspective…

Well-documented benefits explain why the American Heart Association and public health agencies praise fish and omega-3 fish oil;
Several epidemiological (diet-health survey) studies link diets rich in fatty fish to a lower risk for depression and Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia;
Fish-rich diets, and their omega-3 fatty acids, reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and sudden cardiac death;
Studies show that omega-3s boost brain volume and function – facilitating growth of brain cell s and brain-cell networks;
Now, a study from UCLA shows that older adults with higher blood levels of omega-3s from fish or fish oil performed better on tests of mental functioning – and suffered less age-related brain shrinkage – than participants with lower omega-3 levels (Tan ZS et al. 2012);
“People with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had lower brain volumes that were equivalent to about two extra years of structural brain aging,” according to lead research author Zaldy S. Tan, M.D., MPH. (AAN 2012);

New Study…

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine recruited 1,575 men and women, average age 67, who were free of any dementia manifestations or diagnosis. Participants were in what is called the Framingham Offspring Study and were predominately white. All participants underwent MRI scans and were given tests measuring mental function, body mass index, and their levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their red blood cells.

The UCLA team found that the participants whose red blood cell levels of omega-3 DHA fell in the bottom fourth (quartile) had smaller brain volumes than those with higher DHA blood levels.

The participants whose blood levels of both key omega-3s (EPA+DHA) fell in the bottom fourth scored lower on mental testing that covered visual memory, executive-type decision making functions, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and abstract thinking.

Previous Research…

Previous research compared the risk of dementia to the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in people’s blood plasma, which reflects how much people had eaten in the past few days but not their overall levels in long-term blood plasma.

Now, by measuring omega-3 levels in the subjects’ red blood cell membranes, the UCLA researchers could more accurately estimate the amount of omega-3s that participants had consumed in the past several months. This represents the average intake of fatty acids, not just a quick short-term snapshot of their blood cells (Storrs C, 2012).

Dr. Tan of the research team has been with the Farmingham Heart Study for over 12 years now, focusing research on the epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and cognitive decline syndromes. His explanation for their findings include, “We feel [that omega-3] fatty-acid consumption exerts a beneficial effect on brain aging by promoting vascular health – this includes reducing blood pressure and inflammation” (Storrs C 2012). In addition, he added that omega-3s are also credited for promoting the growth of interconnections among brain cells by raising brain levels of key brain chemicals. One of Dr. Tan’s key points is, “…people who are already consuming fish as part of a balanced diet can take stock in the promising findings of this most recent study validating that omega-3 fatty acid may benefit not only their heart but their brain as well” (Brooks, M, 2012)

You Should Know…Of the two major omega-3s found in virtually all human cells – DHA and EPA – only omega-3 DHA is essential to brain-cell structure/function … and consequently necessary to memory, thinking, and mood regulation.

Healthy Omega’s

Are all omega’s the same? Absolutely NOT.

With all the concerns about fish contamination, the omega’s you consume should be of the highest quality and purity guaranteed.

With purity and extra stabilization to prevent rancidity at the forefront, a formula must have optimal purity testing from top independent labs to check for numerous contaminants (e.g. heavy metals, dioxins, PCB markers, etc.) – the only way to insure the final product is exceptional quality, freshness and purity. Because of these factors, a special complex, 1440 Omegas, was made specifically for The Institute for Wholistic Rejuvenation and is exclusively available through The Health Matters Store at www.healthmatterstore.com.

Source Matters

Marine oils in this exclusive product, 1440 Omegas, come from fisheries that practice sustainable fishing to protect species and their oceanic environments. All fish including salmon, anchovy, mackerel and calamari are wild-caught in cold waters and carefully processed by multiple uses in food production to minimize waste of valuable natural resources. This formula contains natural antioxidants like mixed tocopherols, vitamin C, and rosemary extract to protect against oxidation and rancidity. In addition, the handling and storing is done in controlled storage and shipping to protect volatile oils.

The processes described above leave nothing to chance – the product is molecularly distilled by world leading experts in fish oil production that include pharmaceutically licensed facilities in Norway and exceed the International Pharmacopeia standards.

Who Does the Testing?

Tests are conducted by independent providers that maintain exemplary GMP-certified manufacturing standards. All batches of 1440 Omegas exceeds industry guidelines for testing including, but not limited to, those established by:

The World Health Organization (WHO)
United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
The Global Organization for EPA, DHA Omega-3s (GOED) Voluntary Monograph
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

How Conditions Benefit from Omegas?

Keep in mind that omegas are credited for their health-enhancing properties that include:

Cardiovascular
Immune system support
General blood lipid health
Positive mood
Eicosanoid balance
General cellular growth
Cognitive health
Reduction of overall inflammation
Targeted blood lipid (e.g. triglycerides)

How Much Should An Adult Take?

I use and recommend 1,440 mg daily for those without inflammation or cognitive decline. For individuals with inflammatory conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, gout, plantar fasciitis, migraines, etc. I use and recommend from 8,000 to 10,000 mg daily in divided doses and always with food until pain is resolved then find what dosage works best for your maintenance levels…Body Talk NEVER Lies, listen to it!

Fibro Flare-Ups

When my clients, or myself, experience a “flare-up” of inflammation from let’s say unknowingly consuming nightshades, msg, nitrates, etc. the best option is to immediately supplement with the higher dose listed above. Omegas in my practice work as well as some pain medications or supplements but they must be in higher doses to quickly extinguish the “fire” of inflammation responsible for the pain – the longer you have the “flare-up” the longer it takes for the benefits of omegas.

Your Partner in Health,

Dr. Gloria