Links to Online Articles and Studies

Omega 3 News

ALA CONVERSION TO EPA/DHA SUFFICIENT FOR NON FISH EATERS - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

The conversion of the plant based omega 3 ALA to the long chain EPA and DHA may be increased in vegans and vegetarians who do not eat fish, suggest results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).

Despite having significantly lower intakes of EPA and DHA (associated with fish consumption), blood levels of EPA and DHA in vegans and vegetarians were approximately the same as regular fish eaters, according to findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The results indicate that when people do not consume adequate levels of EPA and DHA, like vegans and non fish-eating vegetarians, their bodies respond by increasing the conversion levels of ALA to EPA.

For more on this research, click on the link below

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Omega-3-ALA-intakes-enough-for-EPA-DPA-levels-for-non-fish-eaters

INSUFFICIENT ALA COULD BE LINKED TO OBESITY TREND - Journal of Lipid Research

A new study suggests that a deficiency in plant-based Alpha-Linolenic Acid (Omega 3) coupled with a chronic excess of Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) could lead to 'inherited obesity'.

The study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, describes an increase in fat mass of mice over several generations when fed an 'unbalanced Western diet'.

In addition to trans-generational weight gain, the research also observed the onset of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, and the expression of inflammatory genes involved in obesity as generations advanced.

Collectively, the data shows that continuous exposure to a high-fat diet combined with a high LA:ALA (Omega 6: Omega 3) ratio over generations triggers a discrete and steady increase in inflammatory stimuli, accompanied by enhancement of fat mass, according to the researchers.

For more on this research, click on the link below

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Insufficient-ALA-could-be-linked-to-obesity-trend

FLAX AND BORAGE OIL MAY BOOST SKIN HEALTH FROM WITHIN

Supplements containing flaxseed or borage oil may protect skin against reddening and improve skin health from within, suggests new research from Germany and France

The Omega 3 and Omega 6 rich oils from Flax and Borage respectively also led to a decrease in skin roughness and so-called skin scaling, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition

Growing awareness of the link between diet and health, and by extension physical appearance , means that many consumers are receptive to the concept of 'beauty from within'.

After six and 12 weeks of supplementation  with flaxseed, an increase in blood levels of ALA was observed, while increases of GLA were recorded in the group receiving borage oil. Follow nicotinate treatment, the researchers noted a significant decrease in the reddening of the skin in the flaxseed and borage oil groups of 45 and 35 percent respectively,  compared to baseline values. No differences were recorded in the placebo group.

Measurements of water loss from the skin, and roughness and scaling (dry peeling skin) also decreased significantly in the flax oil and borage oil groups.

For more on this research, click on the link below

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flax-and-borage-oil-may-boost-skin-health-from-within

REVIEW BACKS FLAXSEED LIGNAN'S CANCER FIGHTING POTENTIAL

Flaxseed lignans might offer protection against breast, prostate, colon, and skin cancers while the soluble fiber they contain could help maintain steady blood sugar levels, found a review of research into the seed.

The authors summarised that the health benefits from flaxseed lignans are due to their antioxidant activity, and also due to their estrogenic and antiestrogenic compounds. They concluded that flaxseed lignans could be a significant part of a treatment regimen for cancer based on the large number of small scale studies but stressed that further research is needed.

For more information on how flaxseed lignans may be beneficial for Breast, Prostate Cancer, and Diabetes, click on the link below.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Review-backs-flaxseed-lignans-cancer-fighting-potential

FLAXSEED OIL CUTS OSTEOPOROSIS RISK IN DIABETIC, OLDER WOMEN

Flaxseed oil may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women with diabetes and those who are post-menopausal, according to a new study.

The results of the research suggest that flaxseed oil has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density and reduces markers associated with osteoporosis, indicating that this dietary supplement could be beneficial to women with diabetes or older women in reducing their risk of osteoporosis. These findings were published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Public Health.

For more on this research, click on the link below

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flaxseed-oil-cuts-osteoporosis-risk-in-diabetic-older-women-study

FLAXSEED PROTEINS MAY HAVE BLOOD PRESSURE LOWERING POTENTIAL

Proteins from Flaxseed may reduce blood pressure and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, suggests new research from Canada.

According to findings published in the Journal of Functional Foods, flaxseed meal contains peptide amino acid sequences that may be exploited as potential food sources for lowering blood pressure based on their angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity.

ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to the potent vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II, thereby improving blood flow and blood pressure.

The results of this study clearly indicate that flaxseed protein hydrolysates possess potential as a food source of anti-hypertensive agents.

For more on this research, click on the link below

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flaxseed-proteins-may-have-blood-pressure-lowering-potential

FLAX FIBER MAY CUT HUNGER FEELINGS FOR YOUNG MEN: STUDY

Dietary fiber from Flaxseed may suppress rises in blood levels of lipids after a meal and modulate appetite, according to a new study from Denmark.

The study reported that adding 2.4g of flaxseed fiber to a meal increased both ratings of satiety and fullness, compared with a control meal. Results showed that , compared to a control meal, blood levels of triacylglycerols were reduced significantly after consuming the highest dose of flaxseed fiber. Higher mean ratings of satiety and fullness  was seen following the high dose fiber meal compared to the control meal.

Further research is needed to substantiate the observed effects and determine the long-term effect on body weight and cardiovascular health.

For more on this research, click on the link below.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flax-fiber-may-cut-hunger-feelings-for-young-men-Study

OMEGA 3s MAY REDUCE DIABETES RISK: 3 studies compare plant and marine sources

Increased blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids from plant or marine sources are associated with reduced risk of type-2 diabetes, according to three new studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Two studies in Chinese populations and one in the USA reported that intakes or blood levels of Omega 3 from plants, seafood, or both were associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes.

Of the three studies, 1 found that only ALA intake from plant sources of Omega 3 was assocatiated with a reduction in the risk of diabetes (21 percent); 1 study found that seafood intake amongst women was more strongly associated with a reduction in the risk of diabetes than for men; and the 3rd study found that both marine and plant sources of Omega 3 were associated with a lower risk of diabetes. However, this association was not observed for intakes of Omega 3, but rather for blood levels of Omega 3 ALA, EPA, DHA.

For more on this research, click on the link below.

Pregnancy and childcare

Pregnant & Nursing Moms Need Proper Fat Intake to Combat Depression and Safeguard Infant Health. Udo Erasmus
http://udoerasmus.com/articles/press/2001_9_pregnantmoms.htm

EFAs: Women's and Children's Health. Udo Erasmus
http://udoerasmus.com/articles/udo/efa_women.htm

Essential fatty acids

When good fish oils are not enough. Udo Erasmus
http://www.udoerasmus.com/articles/udo/good-fish-oils-not-enough.htm

FLAX OIL (ALA) & PROSTATE CANCER "Witch Hunt" or Cause for Concern? Udo Erasmus
http://udoerasmus.com/articles/udo/flax_prostate.htm

FATS THAT HEAL  FATS THAT KILL - The Complete Lecture. Udo Erasmus
http://udoerasmus.com/articles/udo/fthftk.htm

OMEGA 3s may reduce Diabetes risk: 3 studies compare plant and marine sources

http://www.nutraingredients.com/On-your-radar/Omega-3/Omega-3s-may-reduce-diabetes-risk-3-studies-compare-plant-marine-sources

Omega 3 Flax oil and Flaxseed

ALA CONVERSION TO EPA/DHA SUFFICIENT FOR NON FISH EATERS - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Omega-3-ALA-intakes-enough-for-EPA-DPA-levels-for-non-fish-eaters

INSUFFICIENT ALA COULD BE LINKED TO OBESITY TREND - Journal of Lipid Research

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Insufficient-ALA-could-be-linked-to-obesity-trend

FLAX AND BORAGE OIL MAY BOOST SKIN HEALTH FROM WITHIN

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flax-and-borage-oil-may-boost-skin-health-from-within

REVIEW BACKS FLAXSEED LIGNAN'S CANCER FIGHTING POTENTIAL

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Review-backs-flaxseed-lignans-cancer-fighting-potential

FLAXSEED OIL CUTS OSTEOPOROSIS RISK IN DIABETIC, OLDER WOMEN

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flaxseed-oil-cuts-osteoporosis-risk-in-diabetic-older-women-study

FLAXSEED PROTEINS MAY HAVE BLOOD PRESSURE LOWERING POTENTIAL

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flaxseed-proteins-may-have-blood-pressure-lowering-potential

FLAX FIBER MAY CUT HUNGER FEELINGS FOR YOUNG MEN: STUDY

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Flax-fiber-may-cut-hunger-feelings-for-young-men-Study