Naturopathic Information - Liquid Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for general health

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for keeping the body healthy and functioning well. Omega-3 is classed as an 'essential' fatty acid because the body cannot produce it so it needs to be obtained through the diet or via supplementation. The best sources of omega-3 fatty acids are seafood and fish, particularly deep sea fish including herring, salmon, mackerel and tuna. Fish oil is a natural source of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids help support a wide range of functions in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish help to maintain heart health, reduce inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, support healthy brain function and general health and wellbeing.

Omega-3 and Inflammation

Inflammation is a response to tissue damage or a perceived threat, characterised by swelling, heat, redness, and pain. These symptoms are due to immune activity and the release of inflammatory chemicals. Blood flow is increased to deliver immune cells and nutrients to the area affected to protect against infection and heal damaged tissue. However, Inflammation can also occur in an uncontrolled environment and cause damage to the body’s tissues as it does in rheumatoid arthritis.

• EPA and DHA have anti-inflammatory properties and may be of benefit for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis
• EPA and DHA compete with the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid for the enzymes cyclo-oxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) which results in a reduced production of pro-inflammatory metabolites such as prostaglandin series 2 and leukotriene series 4.1
• A meta-analysis (a review that combines the results of several studies) of the use of omega-3 fatty acids for joint pain, including from Rheumatoid Arthritis, found that supplementation for three to four months reduced patient-reported duration of morning stiffness, joint swelling and number of painful and/or tender joints.
• Fish oil helps maintain joint health and mobility and may provide temporary relief of joint pain.

Cardiovascular and Cholesterol Health

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help to support heart health by:

• Helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels in healthy individuals
• Helping lower trigylceride levels within the healthy range in healthy individuals Maintaining the flexibility of blood vessels to promote healthy blood flow
• Supporting healthy blood pressure in healthy individuals

Omega-3 is now advocated for heart health

• The National Heart Foundation (NHF) of Australia released a position statement recommending that all adults have 500mg of combined EPA and DHA daily from their diet or from supplements (approx. 2 standard fish oil caps/day) to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
• The American Heart Association recommends people consume at least 2 fish meals per week with an emphasis on fatty fish.

Advantage of liquid fish oil

• A barrier to using fish oil for inflammatory conditions has been the high cost and inconvenience of taking fish oil capsules in a sufficient dosage to have an anti-inflammatory effect. For example, 9 to 14 standard (1000mg) fish oil capsules are required to achieve the 2.7g of Omega 3 (EPA + DHA) that is recommended by Arthritis Australia.
• Concentrated liquid fish oil allows the dose to be reduced to a convenient 10mL daily dose containing enough Omega 3s for their anti-inflammatory properties and contribution to joint health, which should improve dosage compliance and therapeutic outcome.