Omega 3 fish oil and inflammation

Some kind of inflammation is believed to lie behind most
diseases of the 21st Century. For example, heart disease,
cancer, autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, Alzheimer's and
many other conditions are characterised by increased levels
of pro-inflammatory markers produced from Omega 6 essential
fatty acids found in meat, dairy products, vegetable oils
and processed foods.

Although it is now well known that Omega 3 fatty acids from
oily fish or fish oil supplements can offer significant
health benefits, what is perhaps less well known are the
reasons why? Possibly the most important health giving
property of Omega 3 is its apparent ability to reduce
inflammation by inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory
eicosanoids.

Eicosanoids - good and bad

No one yet fully understands the mechanisms involved, but
according to a number of experts, including Artemis
Simopoulos a world-renowned authority on fish oil and
director of the Centre for Genetics, Nutrition and Health,
fish oil influences the type of eicosanoids that are
produced by the body.

Eicosanoids are hormone like messengers that are derived
from essential fatty acids. To put it very simply,
depending on the type of essential fatty acid incorporated
into the cells, either Omega 6 or Omega 3, the eicosanoids
produced will either be (bad) pro-inflammatory or (good)
anti-inflammatory. It is necessary to have a balance
between the different types of eicosanoids or between Omega
6 and Omega 3, for good health and this is where diet plays
a crucial part. Most of us simply do not get enough of
Omega 3 in our diet to offset the inflammation produced by
Omega 6.

In particular, it is the Omega 3 fatty acid
Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA that can be considered as the
most beneficial for ongoing physical health and mental
wellbeing. Although Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, another
Omega 3 fatty acid, is important for the structure of the
brain and healthy vision, many professionals now believe it
is EPA that is needed for the body and the brain to
function well on a day to day basis.

For example, when the Omega 6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid
or AA is incorporated into the cells, the result is
increased production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids
(prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes). EPA, in a
way, competes with AA for incorporation into the cells,
reducing the number of pro-inflammatory compounds produced.

Unfortunately, Omega 3 is not as abundant as Omega 6 and a
direct source of EPA, for example, can only be found in
oily fish and fish oil supplements. Over the past 70 years
or so our consumption of fish has also dwindled to a
fraction of what it used to be, whereas our consumption of
Omega 6 has increased.

Many experts believe it is no coincidence that this change
in our diet has coincided with a rise in the number of
cases of heart disease, cancers and inflammatory
conditions. Fish oil certainly offers hope not only
therapeutically, but also by reducing inflammation, we can
reduce the risk of developing a significant number of
health problems in the first place. Some research suggests
that fish oil could even offer a safer alternative to
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.

Fish oil versus NSAIDs

One recent study published in Surgical Neurology suggested
that Omega 3 fatty acids could possibly help treat neck and
back pain. Joseph Maroon and Jeffrey Bost from Pittsburgh
University, investigated over 200 people who had been
treated for non-surgical back and neck pain and all of who
were taking NSAIDs. The participants were given 2.4 gr of
Omega 3 for 2 weeks before halving the dose and reducing
their NSAIDs over the following couple of weeks. The
results of surveys that were sent out (125 questionnaires
were returned) showed that more than 50% had stopped taking
any NSAIDs and had less pain and 88% said they would
continue taking fish oil supplements.

So what kind of fish oil is best?

Opinions on this vary but in general, fish oil with a high
EPA content can be considered the best for most people.
Most fish oils contain a combination of EPA and DHA and
many reports mention just Omega 3 and do not differentiate
between the fatty acids involved. Some studies have
indicated that too much DHA might actually inhibit the
effectiveness of EPA so the ratio of EPA to DHA is crucial.

Conclusion

As most people have a diet that is rich in Omega 6 but
deficient in Omega 3, nearly everyone can benefit from
supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil in order to reduce or
limit the negative effect of too much inflammation in the
body. Eating more oily fish is one way of increasing intake
of Omega 3, but as our fish are now polluted with toxins,
the best option has got to be a quality fish oil supplement
where the toxins have been removed and one that is
particularly high in EPA.

----------------------------------------------------
Dave McEvoy is an expert in omega 3 fish oil EPA with over
20 years experience; for more information about fish oil
and how it can help come and visit. http://www.mind1st.co.uk
http://www.mind1st.com