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Entries tagged as ‘Fish Oils’

7 out of 10 people over 45 have high cholesterol

29 April, 2009 · 3 Comments

All Cholesterol is not equal

Cholesterol cannot disolve but is carried around our blood stream by lipoproteins, it is these lipids which determine wheather the cholesterol is good or bad.  We know that not all cholesterol is equal, and to make it clear, in cholesterol terms LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is bad and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is good cholesterol.  So if you are suffering from high cholesterol levels (Hypercholesterolemia) in your blood it is the LDL’s you want to reduce.

Lets look at the goodies first -  HDL. Just over a quarter of blood cholesterol is carried around our blood stream by high-density lipoprotein. High levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack, whereas low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also increase the risk of heart disease. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque which in turn slows its buildup. I think we will all agree that that does sound good.

On the other hand -   LDL carries cholesterol in the blood, depositing it on the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result.

So how can we reduce LDL?

What you eat can have a significant effect on your cholesterol levels.  There are 5 main food groups that have been identified as being able to help reduce LDL cholesterol.  These are Oatbran or other soluble fibre, walnuts and almonds, oily fish with omega-3’s and plant sterols.  The first 4 are often mentioned so I wanted to tell a little more about plant sterols.

Plant Sterols may lower bad cholesterol by as much as 9%

Phytosterols may lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by as much as 9%, according to a new study reported on by Dr Jane Hart.

Such plant sterols or phytosterols are naturally found in some vegetable oils, fruits, nuts, grains and vegetables, but in such small amounts that it would be difficult to get the sterols you need to reduce your LDL cholesterol just from a normal balanced diet. In fact it would take about 100 pounds of fruits, vegetables or nuts to get 2 grams of natural plant sterols. So some large margerine and dairy drinks manufacturers have added plant sterols to their wares.  This is commendable and does go some way to answering the problem but such foods containing at least 0.4 grams per serving of plant sterols would need to be eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 0.8 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol,and that may well reduce the risk of heart disease.

Another way to make sure you get enough phytosterols often enought and consistently enough to make a difference is to take them as a food supplement.

Lestrin

walnuts

walnuts

- a food supplement containg Beta-sitosteral a naturally cocurring plant substance.. Lestrin delivers plant sterols in a unique tablet form, meanig you do not have to uptake your diary intake to contribute to your sterols intake. Lestrin contains free sterols as opposed to chemically changed sterols and is suitable for vegetarians. Whereas most dairy products on offer with sterols contain  chemically changed sterols which have been shown to be less effective than ‘free’ sterols. Not only do plant sterols reduce LDL levels but also increase HDL levels and so bring relevant imporrovements in health.

Lestrin definitely offers an easier way to control cholesterol levels without having to uptake intake of certain food groups and maintain these changes long term.

By lowering chelesterol levels, improvements in health are attained and heart protecion offered for the future.

Read more about lowering cholesterol

Categories: Cholesterol · High Cholesterol · Uncategorized
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Fish oil may protect against diseases like Parkinson’s

23 April, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder first described by James Parkinson in 1817 as ‘paralysis agitans’ (shaking palsy). Dr Nicholas Bazan and colleagues from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center recently presented new research findings to the American Society for Nutrition at the annual meeting for Experimental Biology 2009. These findings demonstrate that omega-3 fatty acids in the diet may help prevent the misfolding of a protein resulting from a gene mutation, which is a characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.

Dr Bazan and colleagues developed a cell model with an Ataxin-1 gene mutation, caused by an abnormally high number of base repeats (cytosine, adenine and guanine), which induces the production of misfolded proteins. Consequently, these proteins acquire toxic gains-of-function and become averse to degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) which serves to dispose of aberrant proteins. One resultant disorder of this Ataxin-1 mutation is Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) characterised by lack of muscle coordination, speech impairment, deformity of the spine, irregularity of movement along with other developing symptoms.

The research led by Dr Bazan, who is the Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence found that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid, protects the cells from the Ataxin-1 mutation defect. DHA is obtained from the diet is derived mainly from marine alage and fish oils. It is known to be the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid found in the membrane phospholipids of neurons. Functionally, free DHA produces neuroprotection D1 (NDP1) which limits oxidative-stress induced cell death. NDP1 is an effective anti-inflammatory signalling molecule with neuroprotective value in several neurodegenerative diseases. DHA is required to maintain membrane integrity and subsequently NDP1 protects cells from apoptosis.

Therapeutically, this research by Dr Bazan and colleagues provides proof of principle that NDP1 can be utilised to target neurodegenerative diseases. Dr Bazan is quoted as saying that the results of his study should provide the basis of new therapeutic approaches to manipulate retinal pigment epithelial cells to be used as a source of NDP1 to treat patients with disorders characterised by this mutation like Parkinson’s, Retinis Pigmentosa and some forms of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Article submitted thanks to Reading Scientific Services Ltd     Read More

Categories: Alzheimer's · Complementary Health · Omega-3 · Uncategorized
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Fish Oils

11 March, 2009 · 1 Comment

Cod Liver Oil has been used as a medicine for centuries although its clinical use did not begin until the mid 17th century when it was given to people suffering with bone disease and rheumatism. At that time no-one knew why it worked.

A Time-Honoured Remedy

Research continued and cod liver oil was found to contain many nutrients that were not easily obtained from non-marine sources. Cod liver oil is a rich source of fat-soluble vitamins, A, D and E and also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) which have essential roles in the body’s metabolism.

In 1970, two Danish doctors discovered that Eskimos in Grenland had a low incidence of coronary heart disease, associated with eating large amounts of fatty fish and seafoods. Further tests showed that EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) is contained in far greater quantities in the blood lipids of Eskimos, as is DHA (docohexaenoic acid). This is needed in high proportions in the grey matter of the brain, the nerve tissue and the retina of the eye to ensure healthy functioning of these organs.

So perhaps the “old wive’s tale” of fish being good for the brain is not so far fetched!

Researchers at the University of London have shown that fish oils can lower the risk of heart disease and reduce cholesterol levels and it has also been indicated that EPA can help with arthritis and rheumatism.

A Dutch researcher carried out surveys in more than 16 different countries to measure fish intake relative to heart disease frequency. His results showed that the groups eating no fish have a 10 times greater risk of heart disease than groups like the Japanese or the Eskimos who eat a great deal of fish.

More importantly, it is also shown that eating a limited amount of fish reduces the risk significantly so that changing the diet from eating no fish to eating 50g a day will reduce the risk by half. (One tsp of cod liver oil is equivalent to 50g fish.)

There is also good news for those who have had heart trouble. A study carried out by the Medical Research Council gives direct evidence that increasing the fish oil intake can reduce the risk of death from heart disease where one heart attack has already been suffered. One group advised to take 6 cod liver oil capsules a day (or eat fatty fish at least twice a week) had a 35% better survival rate.

Could fish oils calm us all down?

The intriguing possibility that eating more fish or supplementing the diet with fish oil capsules could calm us down has been raised by research published in the Lancet.

The idea comes as a result of a study suggesting that people with a high level of a certain type of fat in their blood tend to be more aggressive. Researchers in Edinburgh took samples from 1,500 randomly selected middle aged men and women. These were then measured for the different types of fat and the subjects’ personality profiles examined, assessing them for factors such as hostility and the extent to which they looked down on, or tended to dominate, other people.

After taking into account factors such as smoking and drinking habits, it was found that those with the most aggressive attitudes had higher levels of the triglyceride type of fat in their blood. The connection with fish lies in the well-established fact that eating more of the oil found in fish lowers the level of triglyceride due to its Omega-3 polyunsaturates content.

“A reduction in aggressiveness may be one more of the factors contributing to the explanation of how eating more oil-rich fish reduces heart disease risk” comments Fish Foundation chief executive, Dr Ray Rice.

Daily Dose

During the period from 1930 to 1950, the Government provided cod liver oil through the NHS as a vitamin A and D supplement to ensure healthy growth and bone formation in children and it was not until 1971 that the free distribution of cod liver oil was dropped at health clinics because of decreased demand.

For many of us, the daily dose of cod liver oil is a never to be forgotten experience as it tastes so unpleasant. Cod liver oil remains the subject of very extensive research and the good news is that much as been done to make it far more palatable.

Who Should Take Fish Oil as a Supplement?

  • Those with arthritis or rheumatism
  • Those concerned with heart health
  • Those with dry skin and hair

Categories: Bones · Health
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Why you should be taking Omega-3 fish oils every day

4 March, 2009 · Leave a Comment

You and your family need more than a Multivitamin. Independent research is demonstrating time and time again the value of essential fatty acids found in omega-3 fish oils. The Eskimo product range has been meticulously researched and formulated to provide you with incredibly pure omega-3 fish oils to support you and your family’s health requirements.

There is something about the Eskimos

It started over 20 years ago when 2 physicians visited Greenland to observe the Eskimos. They noticed that although Eskimos consume large amounts of fat, they avoid many of the conditions associated with a high fat diet. This was thought to be because they consumed large amounts of omega-3 EPA and DHA fatty acids. Having published over 400 papers, mainly in cardiovascular medicine, Professor Tom Saldeen decided to undertake further research into the revolutionary ideas. He concluded that these fatty acids are indeed highly beneficial to health but are often significantly lacking from the western diet.

Pure, stable fish oils

The doctors went on to research a way of presenting a fish oil which was pure from harmful toxins and heavy metals and one which did not go rancid on exposure to oxygen. Eskimo-3 is one of the purest, most stable fish oils on the market.

From toddlers to teens can benefit from using fish oil as a daily supplement

  • Eskimo fish oil provides valuable omega-3 fatty acids EPA &DHA, which are often lacking in those who rarely eat fish.
  • Fish oil plays a significant role in supporting the cardiovascular system because of its effect on blood pressure, lipoproteins, cholesterol, prostaglandins and fibrinogen.
  • People who consume large amounts of fish or fish oil have a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep the skin supple and elastic.
  • Fish oil has been well researched for its role in helping to support healthy joints.
  • Over 60% of the brain is made from fat!

Categories: Heart and Blood
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Essential Fatty Acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6 are ESSENTIAL for good health

5 November, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Omega-3 and Omega-6 are polyunsaturated fatty acids. Otherwise known as Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Conjucated Linolelic acid (CLA) EPA and DHA

Other items of interest

Both Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential for good health and normal growth. Since they cannot be manufactured by the human body, they must be supplied in the diet. For this reason, they are often referred to as ‘essential fatty acids’ (EFAs).

Oily fish and fish oil supplements are the richest and most readily available sources of these essential fatty acids. Other excellent sources of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid include flaxseed (linseed) oil, rapeseed (canola) oil, walnuts and walnut oil, grass-reared meat, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Like all fats, Essential Fatty Acids provide energy. Their calorific value is similar to other fats and oils but, unlike saturated fats, they have important health roles. In fact, as their name suggest, they are essential and must be eaten regularly as the body has limited storage of them. Both omega-6 and omega-3 – are components of nerve cells and cellular membranes. They are converted by the body into eicosanoids, leukotrienes and prostaglandins – all of which are needed on a second-by-second basis by most tissue activities in the body.

EFAs are involved in normal physiology, including:

  • regulating pressure in the eye, joints, and blood vessels, and mediating immune response
  • regulating bodily secretions and their viscosity
  • dilating or constricting blood vessels
  • regulating collateral circulation
  • directing endocrine hormones to their target cells
  • regulating smooth muscles and autonomic reflexes
  • being primary constituents of cell membranes
  • regulating the rate of cell division
  • maintaining the fluidity and rigidity of cellular membranes
  • regulating the inflow and outflow of substances to and from cells
  • transporting oxygen from red blood cells to the tissues
  • maintaining proper kidney function and fluid balance
  • keeping saturated fats mobile in the blood stream
  • preventing blood cells from clumping together (blood clots that can be a cause of heart attack and stroke)
  • mediating the release of inflammatory substances from cells that may trigger allergic conditions
  • regulating nerve transmission and communication If the diet is deficient in either omega-6 or omega-3 long-term degenerative illnesses will result. However, because the end product (eg prostaglandin, leukotriene) of EFA metabolism differ slightly but significantly from omega-6 to omega-3, they must be present in balance for optimum health.

Categories: Heart and Blood
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How fish can boost brain power

5 November, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Over 40% of children fed fish & plant oil supplements improved their intelligence score test results & many dramatically enhanced their reading writing & numeracy skills.

The 3 month study involved 246 children from County Durham with slight learning difficulties. It suggests that widespread supplement use could curb the rise in child behavioural problems.

Daily Mail 29 September 2003 © Daily Mail 2003

Categories: General
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Pure Fish Oils – Help to maintain a healthy heart

5 November, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Medical science has confirmed that diet is a key factor in keeping fit and healthy at every lifestage. Your body needs a varied diet to ensure it gets a sufficient supply of all the different nutrients essential to healthy growth and to the maintenance of a strong and efficient immune system. Research has also proved that diet can affect the health of your heart. Studies into the eating habits of different nations have shown that a few simple adjustments can help you eat your way to heart health.

Eat More…

A diet for a healthy heart should be based on staple carbohydrates like potatoes, pasta, rice, bread and pulses. Add at least five portions of fruit or vegetables daily and two oily fish meals every week.

Eat Less…

Try to cut right down on salt in cooking and at the table and reduce your consumption of saturated fat contained in full fat butter and margarine and cheese, fatty meats and processed foods like cakes, pastries and biscuits. Study the labels on prepared foods to check the saturated fat content.

Why Fruit and Vegetables?

Fruit and vegetables, fresh or frozen, contain little fat. They also contain high levels of fibre, essential vitamins and minerals. Some of the vitamins and minerals they contain have antioxidant properties to combat the rogue molecules known as free radicals which cause cell damage if left unchecked. Antioxidants therefore protect long term good health.

Why Oily Fish?

Studies of populations which include high levels of oily fish in their diet – the Japanese and the Inuit peoples of Canada and Greenland for example – led to the discovery that oily fish like mackerel, herring, pilchards, sardines, salmon and trout are a particularly rich source of the rare eicosapentaenoic and docasahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA) which make up the important Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Scientific research has now accumulated sufficient evidence to support EPA’s important role in maintaining healthy blood and circulation.

Government Recognition

As a result, the Government in its November 1994 COMA Report on Nutritional Aspects of Cariovascular Disease recommended that the nation’s fish consumption should double to at least two fish meals a week.

Good Intentions

Unfortunately not everyone, however well intentioned, is in a position to eat as well as they would like or as well as they should.

For those who fall into this category, food supplements are available to help you keep fit, stay healthy, and enjoy life to the full.

Supplementary Benefits

If you are among the many people who don’t like oily fish or feel unable to eat it at least twice a week, daily supplementatin with Seven Seas Pulse Pure Fish Oils provides Omega 3 health benefits in easy to take capsules.

The Pulse range of fish oils supplements has been speicfically formulated by Seven Seas in response to the scientific evidence to support their positive role in the maintenance of heart health.

A Healthy Lifestyle

Supplementation and changes to your diet can only help as part of a generally healthy lifestyle. To take care of your heart and your health, you must not smoke and you should exercise on a regular basis.

If you have any reason to be concerned about your health, you are advised to consult your doctor.

The pulse range

Pure fish oils are extracted from the flesh, not the liver, of the fish and so do not contain vitamins A and D. Vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin, is included in the formulation to protect the oils from oxidation.

© Seven Seas Pulse

Categories: Heart and Blood
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Funny Bones! – Joint Health

4 November, 2008 · Leave a Comment

From time to time our bones and supporting structures can go a bit funny…and it’s no laughing matter. Don’t despair! There are plenty of things to help…

There are, on average, 206 bones in our body. That’s a lot to keep healthy and strong, and it’s hardly surprising, bearing in mind life’s knocks, strains and stresses, that sometimes they don’t function at their best. You probably know a few people who complain of joint aches and pains from time to time. Let’s take a closer look……

Start Right for Strong Bones…

By the time we’re 30, we’ve reached the age when our bones are built up as much as they can be (peak bone mass). The combination of genetics, diet and exercise will all have played their part in determining how much mineral has gone into making our bones and how strong the supporting structures are. That’s why it’s vital to maintain good dietary levels of bone-building nutrients. Everyone up to this age should be encouraged to increase their intakes of mineral-rich foods such as dairy, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and fortified soya products.

As well as this, many nutritionists find that eating on the run, low intakes of dairy foods, and excess soft drinks result in low dietary levels of calcium, which need topping up with a supplement. Choose a bone formulation, aiming for 1000mg elemental calcium per day plus vitamin D, K and perhaps other important bone minerals such as magnesium and boron.

Keep on Going for Great Bones…

That’s not to say that once we’re over 30, our joint health is signed, sealed and delivered. There are many things that we can do to maintain healthy, strong bones into later years…

Exercise: Research has shown that regular exercise can help to maintain joint strength and reduce bone fractures (see latest research for just one example).

Calcium supplementation: Continue, or start, a specific bone formulation that is rich in calcium, magnesium, boron, vitamin D and perhaps, vitamin K.

Drink herbals, fruit teas and un-carbonated cordials and presses: This will safeguard the calcium in your bones, meaning that the body won’t have to release it to maintain the body’s pH (acid/alkali balance).

Give your joints some TLC: Don’t just expect your joints to keep on going. When they are tired, rest them. Aromatherapy is wonderful for relaxing the muscles and sandalwood, ginger and black pepper are of particular benefit. Use them in a blend, mixed with carrier oil (follow the instructions of an aromatherapist, and check instructions on the label). Pamper your body using exotic moisturisers (fragranced with rose, rosemary or ylang ylang), which gives your joints a massage at the same time! Take a long hot soak in the bath to ease away tiredness and fatigue.

Put to Rest Joint Problems…

The health advice for many joint problems is similar, as these often result in inflammation, pain and swelling. Whether it is simple wear and tear, or sciatica, it is worthwhile talking with a health professional to see what health regime is best for you. Here are just some of the naturopathic principles which might help;

  • Keep the acid/alkali balance in your diet right, by cutting down on acid-containing foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, processed foods and drinking excess concentrated fruit juices. Replace them with beans and pulses, dairy alternatives such as rice, oat, nut milks, soya milk or Tiger White, plus diluted fruit juices, cordials or pressés.
  • Choose caffeine-free drinks.
  • Choose low-sodium products (or cut salt out altogether)

Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphates: are useful where there is inflammation (through wear and tear) or cartilage damage (such as through injury). Chondroitin sulphate is also found naturally in the joints, and levels decrease in those with osteoarthritis. Supplementation has been shown to decrease pain, increase joint mobility and allow healing of damage. There are some innovative products around, including gel patches which can be worn close to the skin on the joint with the discomfort.

Fish Oils: have anti-inflammatory properties, and have been shown to increase joint mobility (reduces stiffness) when taken at around 2000mg to 3000mg daily.

S-adenosyl methionine: gives reduced pain and swelling and increased movement, green lipped mussel decreases pain and has an anti-inflammatory action and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) helps to balance fluid pressure in the joints, and thus help temper inflammation, as well as helping to inhibit the enzyme, cartilaginase, which causes breakdown of cartilage in the joints.

HERBS: White Willow Bark is often recommended for pain management, supported by anti-inflammatory herbs such as Devils Claw, Bromelain, Cayenne and circulatory herbs such as ginger. Sarsaparilla, ashwaganda, turmeric and boswellia may also be recommended by a herbalist. Fish oils also provide anti-inflammatories omega 3 oils and, if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, choose flax seed oil instead, as this will provide omega 3 oils as well.

Soya isoflavones: have been shown to slow bone loss, and even maintain strong bones (see research). Don’t forget some really simple, but effective topical (on the skin) products such as Tiger Balm, Dog Oil and Emu Oil.

Latest Research

Phytoestrogens:
It was suspected that soya isoflavones could help improve bone mineral density about five years ago, but now researchers are fully confident that taking soya isoflavone supplements in addition to soya-rich foods, for at least six to twelve months, could be beneficial.
From: Forum Nutr. 2005;(57):100-11.

Get your back into some exercise…
If you experience back pain, then exercise might be the last thing that you would consider doing, but now research from the University of British Columbia has proven that resistance and agility training reduce back pain, and increase quality of life in older women with low bone density. It might be sensible to go to the gym and get some specific exercises from a qualified trainer, who can monitor progress for you.
From: Osteoporos Int. 2005 Feb 9 [E pub

Excess alcohol bad news for bones….
Scientists at WHO Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield Medical School, have found that drinking more than two units of alcohol per day increases risk of bone fracture to the hips and also osteoporotic fractures.

From: Osteoporos Int. 2004 Sep 29 [E pub]
Natural Lifestyle © Natural Lifestyle April 2005 in connection with Natural Health Week

Categories: Bones
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