Omega 3 Mini Soft Gels

FDA and Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Qualified Health Claim allowed by FDA:

"The scientific evidence about whether omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is suggestive, but not conclusive. Studies in the general population have looked at diets containing fish and it is not known whether diets or omega-3 fatty acids in fish may have a possible effect on a reduced risk of CHD. It is not known what effect omega-3 fatty acids may or may not have on risk of CHD in the general population."
"Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. FDA evaluated the data and determined that, although there is scientific evidence supporting the claim, the evidence is not conclusive."

Omega 3 benefit for heart health
In elderly people, omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil increase a measure of heart-healthiness called heart rate variability.  Taking a daily omega 3 fish oil supplement may therefore reduce the risk of developing irregular heart rhythm or succumbing to sudden cardiac death. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are recommended to those with high cholesterol levels.

Omega-3 as well as caloric restriction prevent the age-related modifications of cholesterol metabolism.
Mech Ageing Dev. 2008 Sep 26. Department of Biology, University of "Roma Tre", Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
Intracellular concentration of cholesterol is regulated by the balance between endogenous synthesis and exogenous uptake; endogenous synthesis is subject to feedback control of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase activity, while the exogenous supply is mainly controlled by the modulation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor. During ageing, hepatic lipid modifications occur and caloric restriction are able to prevent these changes. So, the aim of this work was to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the effect exerted both by caloric restrictions and by a diet enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids, on the cholesterol plasma levels during ageing, by studying the regulation of the protein involved in cholesterol homeostasis maintenance. Livers from diet restricted and Omega-3 supplemented diet fed 24-month-old rat were used to analyze, the protein complex of cholesterol homeostasis maintenance and those ones that are able to modulate 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase. The data obtained demonstrate that both caloric restriction and Omega-3 supplemented diets are able to prevent hihg cholesterol, by regulating HMG-CoAR activation state by controlling ROS production and p38 phosphorylation. Moreover also the age-dependent loss of LDLr membrane exposition is prevented.

Diabetic patients could benefit with improved blood flow
In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 6 weeks of supplementation with n–3 fatty acids reduced the postprandial decrease in macrovascular function relative to placebo. Moreover, n–3 FA supplementation improved postprandial microvascular function. These observations suggest a protective vascular effect of n–3 FAs. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2010.

Omega 3 and Mood
Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish, may give a boost to behavior, mood and personality. University of Pittsburgh researchers found that volunteers with lower blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more likely than others to be impulsive, to have a more negative outlook, and to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression. Study participants with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were found to be more agreeable, however. A number of previous studies have linked lower levels of omega-3 to clinically significant conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and attention-deficit disorder.

Omega 3 and depression
There have been a few studies that indicate countries that have a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oils, have a lower number of cases of depression.
   According to a University of Pittsburgh study, omega-3 fatty acids, which are plentiful in fatty fish like salmon, seem to affect areas of the brain associated with emotion. Dr. Sarah M. Conklin observed that people with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were more apt to have a negative outlook and to be more impulsive, while those with higher levels typically were more agreeable and less likely to exhibit a sour mood. In their latest study, Dr. Sarah Conklin and colleagues set out to see whether the volume of gray matter in the brain, especially in areas related to mood, was proportionally related to the amount of omega-3 fatty acid consumed. They asked 55 healthy adults about their average intake of omega-3 fatty acids and used MRI bran scans to determine gray matter volume. As the researchers theorized, the higher the intake of omega-3 the larger were the volumes of gray matter in areas of the brain associated with mood and regulation of emotion. While these findings hint that omega-3s may contribute to structural improvement in areas of the brain related to emotion -- the same areas where gray matter is reduced in people with mood disorders such as depression -- further studies are needed to determine whether eating fish actually causes changes in the brain, the researchers note.

Omega-3 fatty acids and depression during pregnancy
For pregnant women diagnosed with major depressive disorder, treatment with omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduces symptoms of depression. Depression is associated with the abnormality of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The requirements of the growing baby lead to a decrease of omega-3 PUFAs in the mother during pregnancy, and this might precipitate the occurrence of depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, April 2008.

Omega 3 and Alzheimer's Disease
It appears Omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of Fish Oils, are able to help patients who have mild Alzheimier's disease. Since current drugs used for Alzheimer's disease are not very helpful, and potentially dangerous, perhaps doctors should initially try omega-3 fatty acids in mild cases of AD rather than cholinesterase inhibitors.

Omega-3 fatty acid treatment in 174 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: OmegAD study: a randomized double-blind trial.
Arch Neurol. 2006 Oct;63(10):1402-8. Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Section of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm.
Epidemiologic and animal studies have suggested that dietary fish or fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, for example, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, may prevent Alzheimer disease (AD). Two hundred four patients with AD whose conditions were stable while receiving acetylcholine esterase inhibitor treatment and who had a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 15 points or more were randomized to daily intake of 1.7 g of docosahexaenoic acid and 0.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (omega-3 fatty acid-treated group) or placebo for 6 months, after which all received omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 6 months more. Administration of omega-3 fatty acid in patients with mild to moderate AD did not delay the rate of cognitive decline according to the MMSE or the cognitive portion of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale. However, positive effects were observed in a small group of patients with very mild AD.

Deficiency as cause of illness and disease
Omega-3 deficiency is the sixth biggest killer of Americans and more deadly than excess trans fat intake, according to a 2010 Harvard University study. Investigators looked at 12 dietary, lifestyle and metabolic risk factors such as tobacco smoking and high blood pressure and used a mathematical model to determine how many fatalities could have been prevented if better practices had been observed. The study, jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Association of Schools of Public Health, drew on 2005 data from the US National Health Center for Health Statistics. They determined that there were 72,000-96,000 preventable deaths each year due to omega-3 deficiency, compared to 63,000-97,000 for high trans fat intake.

Omega 3 in Food
Omega 3 fatty acids, such as alpha linolenic acid are found in polyunsaturated oils. The best oils for omega 3 fatty acids include flax seed oil and fish oils (also found in krill oil supplements). Walnuts have a small amount of omega 3 fatty acids. Another good source of omega 3 fatty acids is hemp oil.
   Basically, foods that have omega-3 fatty acids are cold water fish such as salmon, herring, halibut, and sardines, omega-3 fortified eggs, walnuts, flax seeds, hemp seeds, seaweeds and sea vegetables.