Fish oil
Lana Garrett
Nutrition 4320
March 2007
Why Fish oil???
Personal Interest
Ganglion cist and because I don’t get
enough!
Family
Public Interest
Scientific Research is exploding
Health Benefits are intriguing
Overview of Presentation
Description and History
Nutrient Composition
Health Claims
Roles in the Body
Science Supporting the claims
Recommendations
Conclusion
What is Fish oil?
Omega-3 long chain PUFA
Essential because it is not synthesized in the
body.
Contains Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Produced by ALA in the body.
EPA and DHA are considered to be the
most important FA for brain function.
Fish get their high omega-3 content from
eating algae.
History of Fish oil
Omega-3 FA have been a part of the Human Diet for
millennia.
Homo Sapiens evolved in an omega-3 rich environment.
Omega-3 consumption has declined over the past
century.
1994 the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy
(COMA) published findings of the benefits on
cardiovascular health.
Since 1994, more extensive research has been
conducted.
Nutrient Composition
Rich sources of
omega-3 FA,
particularly
eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA).
Some supplements
contain Vitamin E.
180 mg of EPA and
120 mg of DHA
Food Sources and Preparation
Considerations
Diet sources are To reduce exposure to
preferred, but for larger contaminants remove the
doses supplementation skin and fat from fish
may be necessary. before cooking them.
Supplements comparable
to fish consumption. Although skinning and
trimming doesn’t
Cold water, fatty fish such
as salmon, swordfish, reduce mercury
shark, sardines, mackerel, content.
and herring are richest
sources.
To prevent aftertaste try
freezing the capsules.
Health Claims
Brain Development Asthma
Inflammation Dyslexia
Mental Disorders Migraine Headaches
Cardiovascular Lupus
Disease Suicide
Alcoholism Respiratory Diseases
Cancer Multiple Sclerosis
Kidney Disease Peroxisome
Menopause Biogenesis Disorder
Crohn’s Disease Blindness
Type II Diabetes
Brain Development
DHA and EPA are main components in neurological function and
play a key role in brain development.
DHA deficiency in brain.
uses other PUFA, thus changing brain function.
Increased maternal consumption increasing fetal omega-3 levels in
the brain, thus potentially benefiting the fetus.
Breast milk has high levels of DHA.
Infants whose mothers received fish oil supplementation were
followed up at 4 years of age and tested higher in mental processing
than the control group.
The omega 6:3 ratio has increased from 1:1 to 17:1 (10:1, 20-30:1)
Due to increase of vegetable oils and margarine and low fish intake.
Can benefit visual acuity and cognitive development.
Strong human evidence is lacking.
Inflammation
Growing evidence from animal and human
studies suggesting therapeutic properties in
treating inflammatory conditions such as
rheumatoid arthritis.
Studies show a significant reduction in the
number of tender joints and morning
stiffness after 3 months of therapy
consuming 3 g of fish oil per day.
Comparable to NSAIDs.
More severe inflammation in consumers of
omega-6 FA than omega-3.
Mental Disorders
Perhaps one of the most intriguing area for potential
benefits.
High fish oil consumption is linked to lower rates of
depression.
Therapeutic properties for depression, bipolar disorders
and schizophrenia.
Depression rates as high as 21 percent of the general
U.S. population.
Linked with the increase of omega-6 and decrease of
omega-3.
Useful in the treatment of depression at dosages of 0.2
g-9.6 g EPA+DHA.
Very large studies are needed.
Cardiovascular Disease
Widely accepted that it reduces the risk of
cardiovascular disease.
One or two fish meals a week will
significantly reduce the risk for CHD.
Although, some reports have not confirmed
these conclusions.
Possibly because the mercury content
counteracts the benefits of omega-3 FA by
increasing free radical production or by
inactivating antioxidant mechanisms.
Risks and Benefits
Risks/side effects Benefits
Fishy aftertaste and Similar effects to LDL-
belching cholesterol lowering
therapy, lifestyle
Gastrointestinal change, and vigorous
disturbances exercise.
Nausea No documented cases
Mercury content of abnormal bleeding
resulting in fish oil
Pregnant women and supplements.
lactating women
Well-tolerated.
advised not to consume
No significant drug
large amount of fish
interactions.
due to mercury content
Roles in the Body
Major structural component of phospholipids
in neuronal cell membranes.
Predominant structural fatty acids in the
grey matter of the brain.
EPA is a substrate for the initial enzymes in
prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis.
The breakdown of omega-3 and 6 share the
same enzyme.
Preference for omega 3, but can switch to
omega-6 due to an excess of omega 6
consumption.
Science supporting the claims
Strong evidence
supporting claims and
is proven to improve
health, but more
research is needed.
More work needs to be
done to update
recommendations.
Results are often times
inconsistent and
different dosage
amounts need to be
tested.
How to use it
Dosage
Evidence suggests 1-2 g/day are required, but cannot be
attained by diet alone.
Capsules usually contain 180mg of EPA and 120 mg DHA
Liquid concentrate: 1 tsp contains approx 1-3 g of EPA plus DHA
Frequency
AHA Dietary Guidelines recommends consuming at least 2
servings of fish per week for general population and 2 portions
for pregnant or lactating women.
Quality
Diet sources are best, but supplements offer a safe alternative.
Cost
$0.13 to $0.42 per capsule depending on brand.
$0.95 to $9.77 per oz of liquid form depending on brand.
Does it really work???
Safety
Be aware of the risks and benefits for the different
stages of life (ie: pregnant or lactating, mental
disorders, CHD, etc).
FDA ruled that intakes of up to 3 g/day of omega-3
FA are recognized as safe.
Supplements are mercury free.
Efficacy
Reduces risk for sudden death
Reduces all-cause mortality
Additional studies are needed to confirm the benefits
for cardiovascular primary and secondary
prevention.
Ethics in Marketing
What you should know…
Components of fish oil and how it is produced in the
body
Good food sources
What key role does DHA and EPA play in the brain?
What are the AHA Dietary Guidelines for weekly fish
consumption for the general population?
Four health claims focused on
What has changed the Western Diet to increase the ratio
of omega-6:3 PUFA?
What the FDA regulated as a safe daily intake of omega-
3 PUFA
The End
Any Questions?