Fish Oil

What is fat?

There are three classes of nutrients; proteins, carbohydrates and fat, which is also known as lipid. Fat’s function is to provide energy for the body, and pound per pound it contains more energy in the form of calories than protein and carbohydrate. The three types of fat are triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids.

Fat calories are mostly stored in triglycerides. Fat does not just serve as an energy provider but fulfils other bodily functions - cholesterol and phospholipids are components of cell membranes and sheaths surrounding nerve cells, and cholesterol is also vital for the production of hormones (sex and adrenal hormones) as well as bile acids.

What are fatty acids?

Fatty acids are chains of carbon atoms linked by chemical bonds, with a methyl group at one end and a carboxyl group at the other. A methyl group is a cluster of carbon and hydrogen atoms, while a carboxyl group consists of carbon and hydrogen plus oxygen atoms. The chains come in different lengths, with short chain fatty acids having less than six carbons and long ones having 12 or more There are either single or double chemical bonds keeping the chain together - single bonds have more hydrogen molecules around them. These bonds determine whether a fatty acid is saturated or unsaturated.

Fatty acids provide energy to organs including the heart as well as muscles - they are also building blocks for cell membranes, and energy storage for the body. Fatty acids are converted into triglycerides if not used up as energy - these are molecules comprising three fatty acids with a glycerol compound ‘backbone’. They are stored in the body as adipose fat tissue.

What are saturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids only have single chemical bonds, and fats containing them are known as saturated fats. These occur in high quantities in lard, butter, whole milk, cream, eggs, red meat, chocolate and solid shortenings. Too much saturated fat in your diet can raise cholesterol in the blood, as well as increasing the risk of coronary artery disease.

What are monounsaturated fatty acids?

Where saturated fatty acids have a single bond, monounsaturated fatty acids have a double bond. Monounsaturated fats are found in avocados, nuts and oils including olive, peanut and canola oil. It is believed by scientists that consuming a lot of monounsaturated fats helps to lower LDL cholesterol - ‘bad’ cholesterol - and lower the risk of coronary heart disease. This is especially the case when these fats are used in place of saturated fats and refined sugars.

What are polyunsaturated fatty acids?

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are distinguished by the fact that they have more than one double bond. You can find polyunsaturated fats in high quantities in vegetable oils, corn, soy and sunflower.

What are essential fatty acids?

Polyunsaturated fatty acids which the body cannot produce on its own but that it needs for metabolic function are known as essential fatty acids. It is necessary to eat foods containing essential fatty acids to maintain metabolic function.

What are omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega 3 fatty acids are found in many varieties of fish including salmon, halibut, sardines, albacore, trout, herring, shrimp, clams, tuna, catfish and cod. They are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids with a double bond in the third carbon position from the methyl terminal (chain end) - this position accounts for the ‘3′ in the description. You can also obtain Omega 3 from walnuts, flaxseed oil, canola oil and spinach.

What are omega-6 fatty acids?

As the name would suggest, Omega 6 fatty acids have a double bond in the sixth carbon position from the methyl group - they can be found in corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean and cottonseed oil.

What are the n-3 and n-6 fatty acids?

N3 is another name for Omega 3, while N6 is another name for Omega 6.

What are trans fatty acids?

Known as trans fats, trans fatty acids solidify liquid oils having been made through hydrogenation. If you heat an Omega 6 oil such as corn oil to a high temperature, trans fats are created. Trans fats increase the shelf life of oils and can be found in some margarines as well as vegetable shortenings, commercial pastries, fried foods, crackers, cookies and other snacks. Trans fats should not be consumed to excess as they increase ‘bad’ cholesterol or blood LDL cholesterol, while decreasing HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol and raising the risk of coronary heart disease.

CONCLUSION

Although it may not seem logical, fats are a necessary part of a healthy diet - it is important however to identify which fats are beneficial to health and which are detrimental to it. A good intake of the correct balance of omega3 to omega6 essential fatty acids is vital to keep the body healthy.

Copyright 2005 David McEvoy

Dave McEvoy is an award winning personal trainer with over 20 years experience; he also runs a high quality health supplement website. http://www.mind1st.co.uk

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Fatty acids, especially oils from coldwater fish, have been recommended in people for lowering triglycerides, reducing secondary cardiovascular disease (and probably primary disease,) decreasing heart arrhythmias, decreasing blood pressure, and improving rheumatoid arthritis. They are also possibly helpful in preventing stroke and treating cancer, allergies, and mild depression. Since fish oil taken for many months can lower vitamin E, most products contain added vitamin E.

In pets, fish oil may be beneficial for heart disease, cancer, allergies, arthritis,kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases. I use high doses (2-4 times the label dose) in my patients and most can have their conventional medications lowered.

Side effects of fatty acid supplementation are rare. Fish oil may decrease platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding time. Contamination of fish meat (not oil) with methylmercury can occur. The human literature reports that fish oil may slightly increase LDL (bad) cholesterol although this does not seem to be common or of any significance in most cases. The human literature also reports multiple cases of bleeding (in the brain) when high dose doses is combined with ginkgo. I have not seen any side effects in my patients except the very rare case in a few dogs that smelled fishy.

Milk thistle is a well-known liver tonic. Milk thistle extract provides liver protection by stabilizing the cell membranes of the liver cells, aids in detoxification of toxins (especially those absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract,) stimulates protein synthesis and regeneration of damaged liver cells (actually helping the diseased cells to heal,) and also acts as an antioxidant.

Milk thistle is one of my favorite supplements for just about any disease, as the liver is involved in all disease processes. Many of my holistic clients like extra liver support during treatment with any conventional medications, including when they administer monthly heartworm and flea medications. Milk thistle is very safe to use and I’ve never seen any side effects from its use. Based upon general safety guidelines in people, it’s probably best not to use it in pregnant animals without veterinary supervision. According to some herbalists, long term use can result in depressed liver function unless chronic liver disease is present. Milk thistle is not recommended for use in normal pets but rather those that have diseases of the liver or affecting the liver.

Shawn Messonnier, DVM

Author, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Dr. Shawn is the medical consultant for Pet Togethers, a pet supplement company.

http://www.pettogethers.net/healthypet

http://www.petcarenaturally.com

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The long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in the greatest abundance in fish and fish oil but also in some other foods as well, play a key role as components of cellular membranes. During the regular aging process, cell membranes become much more rigid. This can adversely effect the function of tissues throughout the body, including the brain.
Perhaps the top asset to the brain of them all is DHA, the principal polyunsaturated fat in the central nervous system. DHA is appears to have a very direct
effect on brain chemistry, development and
functioning. DHA is essential for both kids
and adults, but DHA is as vital to a kid’s
diet as sitcoms are to prime time television. The top
source of omega-3 fatty acids of them all is
cold-water fish and fish oils, but omega-3 fatty acids can also
be found in varying quantities in other foods such as certain vegetable oils walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, flaxseed
and also eggs.

The bottom line is, Omega-3 fatty acids appear to protect
the brain, which is why many physicians recommend taking an omega-3 supplement, usually fish oil because of it’s high
concentration of readily absorbed dha and epa (flax and other sources have to be converted in the body instead of being directly assimilated).
Even our President and Governer Shwarzenagger take omega-3 supplements.
There have been a considerable amount of clinical research studies conducted related to the benefits of omega-3 dietary supplements (especially fish oil) in certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in people, including but not limited to arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and heart disease.
This research goes back to 1970’s Greenland and beyond. Some if not most of the placebo trials of fish oil in inflammatory conditions show substantial benefits such as for

example a lessened disease activity and a lower overall requirement of various anti-inflammatory drugs.

Because omega-3 fatty acids are a very key component of development during the entire course of a person’s life cycle, they should be included in the diets of each individual. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are not interconvertible in the body and are therefore vital components of almost all cell membranes. Cellular proteins are genetically determined, however the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of cell membranes is to a large degree dependent on dietary consumption.

To learn more about Omega-3’s visit Fish Oil Research and look at some of the studies there.

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher. More info. regarding Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids may be found at http://www.fish-oil-100.com

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