Omega3 - HeadQuarters for Health

LifeStage 1 - Infancy and Childhood

Infancy and Childhood
When babies are developing during the last third of pregnancy, the brain and nervous system begins accumulating DHA, one of the long chain omega-3s found in oily fish. DHA is a critical component for building brain tissue, for nerve growth and for the retina in the eye. Before birth, babies get the DHA they need from their mother (see Lifestage 2). After birth they obtain it from breast milk.

Supplies of DHA to the baby are most plentiful if the nursing mother eats plenty of fish. Bottle-fed babies may not get any omega-3s if their formula is not enriched with polyunsaturates including DHA. Until quite recently, such baby milks did not contain any added long chain polyunsaturates (LCPs). Studies have shown that the brains of bottle-fed babies have lower DHA levels than the brains of babies that were breast-fed. Bottle-fed babies probably have less DHA in their nervous tissue than breast-fed babies and their eye development may also be delayed. Premature infants have less DHA in their tissues than full-term infants. These babies can "catch-up" if they are fed breast milk or supplemented formula feed.

Infants used in a trial to investigate the effect of adding DHA to formula feeds not only showed superior problem solving ability at the time of the trial (when they were aged 4 months) but also when they were re-evaluated at six years of age. The Dundee researchers found that they continued to show greater problem-solving ability and better decision-making skills.

Asthma and Allergies
Research has linked a polyunsaturate imbalance resulting from high omega-6/low omega-3 intake with the recent increase in allergic conditions. Research at the University of Sydney found that children who regularly ate oily fish had a four times lower risk of developing asthma than children who rarely ate such fish. Other research has found fish oil to be beneficial in the treatment of other lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

Dyspraxia, Dyslexia and Hyperactivity (ADHD)
Omega-3 intakes are associated with brain function and research in the UK produced very positive results when a group of children with behavioural and learning difficulties were supplied with fish oil supplements. The researchers believe that a deficiency in fatty acids means that the messages in the brain aren't being properly transmitted - leading to learning difficulties because of a chemical imbalance.

Aggression (teenagers)
Studies with students showed that supplementing their diets with DHA resulted in significantly reduced feelings of aggression to others, especially when under stress. Some experts have suggested that our low intake of fish (and of the long chain omega-3 polyunsaturates EPA & DHA that fish supplies), might be a factor in the development of "road rage" , "supermarket rage" and other manifestations of violent behaviour towards others.

Depression (Adults)
Several studies have shown low blood levels of the long chain omega-3's in depressed people; one major study looked at the impact of giving fish oil to a group of severely depressed (suicidal) patients that had been hospitalised because of the severity of their condition. After 4 months the fish oil treated patients were so much better, that the trial was stopped, because it was considered wrong to continue to deny they benefits of fish oil to the patients who were in the control group, and who were treated with olive oil.

Because the basis for a life of good health are laid down in childhood, a healthy, regular intake of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids from cradle to grave will help protect against many of the modern diseases that are the source of chronic disabling conditions and the cause of much premature death.

LifeStage 2

Teens, 20s and 30s
Teenagers have to cope with the transition to adulthood. Their bodies change and they have to cope with the mental turmoil caused by fluctuating hormones and the pressures of becoming an independent individual, building a career and a social life.

It is in their twenties and thirties that men and women settle down and start a family - and when poor eating and lifestyle choices begin to store up problems that emerge in their forties and fifties.

Teenage years
Menstruation - A study in Cincinnati, USA, among adolescents with symptoms of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) found that the use of fish-oil supplementation reduced the symptoms considerably. The girls who were receiving the fish oil capsules had much less pain and discomfort than those being treated with dummy capsules.

Aggression, depression and suicide - Rates of suicide are highest among young men. Interesting work in the United States indicates a possible role for the omega-3 fatty acids. People who have low concentrations of 5HIAA serotonin are especially prone to suicidal and impulsive behaviour. Researchers found that low concentrations of DHA in the plasma correlated to low concentrations of 5HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid. This finding is important because 5HIAA predicts serotonin levels, and serotonin is key to the biochemistry of depression, suicide and violence. Studies with depressed patients have shown lower than average blood levels of the omega-3s and a study with severely depressed patients showed dramatic improvements when they were treated with fish oil.

Twenties and Thirties
Pregnancy - In the third trimester of pregnancy (last three months) it is important that the mother-to-be has an ample supply of the omega-3 fatty acids. Around 70 per cent of all the cells that make up the adult brain are formed during this period. The omega-3 DHA central to this process reaches the foetus from the mother via the placenta.

If mother's diet does not allow her to provide enough DHA for the needs of her baby, her body stores will be called upon to make up the shortfall. Some experts think that since the human brain is a rich source of DHA, the mothers brain will be the source of supply of the DHA baby needs. Comparisons across many countries have shown that national rates of post-natal depression are high in those countries which do not eat much fish, and vice-versa. Whether this is caused by the loss of brain DHA during pregnancy is not yet clear.
If there is insufficient DHA for the baby, foetal development may be impaired resulting in lower IQ and poor visual acuity.

It is also thought that omega-3 EPA can help prevent babies being born prematurely and there is some evidence to suggest that pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition in pregnancy, might be associated with a lack of omega-3 fatty acids.

Health Protection
It is at this stage of life that the prospect of heart disease and cancer stop being a remote threat and take on a personal relevance. By including oily fish or fish oil in your diet or supplement regime, you are protecting against many diet and lifestyle-related degenerative disease.

LifeStage 3

The Middle Years
During their forties and fifties, most people are been affected at some time by the serious illness or death of someone not too dissimilar in age. Cancer and heart disease can kill at a shockingly early age, particularly in the industrialised nations of the West.

The onset of many diseases of old age can often make themselves felt in this Lifestage.

Heart disease
There is overwhelming evidence to support the role of the omega-3 long chain fatty acids in protection against heart attack and sudden death. Eating two oily fish meals a week or taking a daily fish oil supplement supplying 1g omega-3 has been proven to reduce the chance of premature death from a heart attack. People with existing heart disease should take medical advice on omega-3 consumption.

Cancer
There is good evidence to show that a high omega-3 diet can protect against prostate and breast cancer or inhibit tumour growth once established. Emerging from laboratory studies on several types of cancer, including colon cancer, is the possibility that omega-3 fatty acids stimulate the death of tumour cells.

It is also in these 'autumn' years that early symptoms of chronic, degenerative disease are felt. Many of these result from long-term poor diet and lifestyle choices but changes, even at this late stage, can effect some improvement.

Cut out smoking
Take up exercise
Eat more fruit and vegetables
Eat less saturated fat and processed foods
Balance your omega-6 / omega-3 intakes (try for 1:2 or 1:3 omega-3 to omega-6)

Lung disease
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have reported that smokers who eat fish regularly are much less likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The study, which included 8,960 people, 55 per cent of whom were former smokers and 45 per cent current smokers, found that present or former smokers who ate four servings of fish per week had about half the risk of developing chronic bronchitis as did smokers who only ate fish one or twice a month. Heavy fish eaters had only one third the risk of getting emphysema as did smokers who ate little fish. Eating four servings of fish per week corresponds to a daily intake of about 1000 mg of fish oils (EPA and DHA).

Osteoarthritis
The first twinges of osteoarthritis usually make themselves felt at this lifestage. People who have played a lot of sport, especially if injury is sustained, are more likely to be affected, particularly in the knee. As recently as 1998, evidence emerged that the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids could help. Researchers found that cod liver oil (a good omega-3 supplement) not only alleviated the inflammation causing joint pain and stiffness, but could also inhibit the breakdown of cartilage (the 'gristle' that cushions the joints).

Eyesight
An Australian study has made a link between diet and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A study of more than 3,500 people aged 49 and above showed that more frequent consumption of fish appeared to protect against late, or advanced, AMD. Eating fish more than once a week halved the risk compared with those who ate fish less than once per month. People with a high cholesterol intake were significantly more likely to develop AMD, whereas a high intake of polyunsaturated fat was associated with a lessened likelihood of AMD (roughly equal to eating fish more than once a week).

LifeStage 4

The Senior Years
The retirement years can be among the most rewarding and pleasurable if enjoyed in good mental and physical health. Sadly, they are all too often marred by a decline in physical function and faculties. Man's optimum lifespan is calculated to be 120 years which means that 60 is only halfway there! Diet has a role to play in health and longevity and the omega-3 long-chain fatty acids are implicated in general health maintenance and many degenerative illnesses associated with ageing.

Diseases of the heart and circulation
Many studies have pointed to very strong links between omega-3s and heart health - protection against death by heart attack particularly. There is also some evidence to show that the omega-3s can protect against thrombotic stroke by promoting healthy blood flow. Omega-3s are also helpful in maintaining blood circulation to the extremities as they improve tolerance to cold exposure and delay spasm of the blood vessels.

Joint and other inflammatory diseases
The omega-3s' reputation in inflammatory diseases is well established. Eating oily fish or taking fish oil supplements has been proven to regulate the inflammatory response implicated in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease,psoriasis and ulcerative colitis. The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3s make the lung cells less sensitive to irritants like cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants and supplementation with fish oil has a protective effect in bronchitis and emphysema. Recent studies have shown that the omega-3's can inhibit the destruction of cartilage which ultimately leads to osteoarthritis.

Mental deterioration
Alzheimers Disease and Dementia - Studies show that eating lots of fish reduces inflammatory chemicals and leads to better mental health with less confusion and a reduced risk of Alzheimers. Research published in 2002 in the British Medical Journal found that older people who eat fish or seafood once a week have a significantly lower risk of developing dementia. Findings shows that the omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and fish oil supplements can reduce inflammation of the brain, and play a part in maintaining good brain function and nerve cell regeneration.

HeadQuarters for Health - Omega3

LifeStage 1 - Infancy and Childhood

LifeStage 2

LifeStage 3

LifeStage 4