Eicosapentaenoic/Docosahexaenoic Acid Molecular Structures
Eicosapentaenoic Acid or EPA is non-essential Omega-3 fatty acid. Non-essential means that it can be produced within the body. However, most people do not produce enough and for optimum health most need to supplement or consume it daily in their diet.
This quote from ScienceDaily.com highlights the importance of maintaining adequate levels of EPA/DHA in one’s diet: “People who received omega-3 fish oil supplements in randomized clinical trials had lower risks of heart attack and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) events compared with those who were given placebo, according to a new meta-analysis from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Researchers found an association between daily omega-3 supplementation and reduced risk of most CVD outcomes, including heart attack, death from coronary heart disease, and death from CVD, but did not see benefit for stroke. In addition, higher doses of omega-3 fish oil supplements appeared to provide even greater risk reduction.”
EPA/DHA benefits more than just the cardiovascular system and has vast implications on immune and neurological health.
The Health Benefits of Eicosapentaenoic Acid:
AGING PROCESS
• Levels in the Brain decline with the Aging Process.
• May prevent the Age-Related shortening of Telomeres.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
• May prevent Angina.
• Supplementation may reduce Arrhythmias by up to 50%.
• May prevent Ventricular Fibrillation.
• Can inhibit the progression of Atherosclerosis.
• Prevents abnormal Blood Clotting.
• Can prevent Cerebral Insufficiency (poor circulation to the brain).
• Reduces the risk of Heart Attack and improves survival for those who have already suffered a Heart Attack.
• By stimulating the production of Prostaglandins PGE3 and PGI3, EPA can lower blood pressure.
• Stroke risk is reduced by supplementation.
• Improves one’s Cholesterol profile by lowering total Cholesterol, increasing HDL Cholesterol (good Cholesterol) and lowering both LDL Cholesterol (bad Cholesterol) and Triglycerides.
• Can lower C-Reactive Protein levels.
• Fibrinogen may be lowered by supplementation.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
• By reducing Leukotriene B4, aids in the treatment and improves the condition of Crohn’s Disease patients.
• May prevent Gallstones.
• Symptoms of Leaky Gut are improved by supplementation.
EYES
• May prevent and treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).
• Symptoms of Dry Eye may be improved by supplementation.
• Glaucoma may be improved with supplementation.
• Concentrates in the Retina and may prevent damage to the Retina caused by Inflammation.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
• EPA may inhibit the growth of the following Cancers:
▪ Breast
▪ Colon
▪ Liver
▪ Pancreatic
▪ Prostate
▪ Skin
• Cachexia experienced by Cancer patients can be prevented and reversed by supplementation.
• May inhibit Hepatitis C.
• Suppresses Inflammation.
• Improves the condition of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
• Inhibits excessive Interleukin 1 (IL-1) production.
• Inhibits Interleukin 6 (IL-6) production.
METABOLISM
• Alone or combined with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) may help to improve the condition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients.
• Improves various aspects of Cystic Fibrosis.
• Can prevent Fatty Liver.
• Helps reduce Insulin Resistance.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
• Slows the progression of Osteoarthritis.
• Helps to increase Bone Mineral Density in Osteoporosis.
• Helps to reduce the Inflammation and stiffness associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
• Helps to enhance Adrenal Gland Function.
• Symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder may be improved by supplementation.
• May prevent Dementia.
• Depression, Major Depressive Disorder and Manic Depression may all result from deficiency.
• Can help reduce seizure frequency in Epilepsy patients.
• Concentrates in the Myelin Sheath of Neurons.
• Stabilizes cell membranes.in the Brain.
• Migraine Headaches may be reduced by up to 50% by supplementation.
• Can reduce the symptoms of Schizophrenia.
• Helps to counteract the toxicity of Amyloid-Beta Protein.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• Asthma patients may benefit from supplementation.
• May prevent Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• May prevent Emphysema.
• Seasonal Allergies may be prevented by supplementation.
• Helps improve Lung function.
SEXUAL SYSTEM
• By inhibiting Prostaglandin E2, EPA may prevent and treat Dysmenorrhea.
• May reduce the severity of Endometriosis.
• Hot Flashes associated with Menopause may be reduced by supplementation.
• May lower elevated Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels.
SKIN
• Applied topically, may treat Eczema (atopic form).
• Supplementation can cause significant improvement in Psoriasis patients.
• May be able to limit the damage to the skin done by Ultra-Violet Radiation.
• Can increase the time it takes to receive Sunburn.
EPA/DHA Omega-3 Benefits
֍ ֍ ֍ ֍ ֍
Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA is a non-essential Omega-3 fatty acid. Non-essential means that it can be produced within the body. However, for optimum health most people need to supplement or consume it daily in their diet. DHA has numerous health benefits many centering on the brain. DHA concentrates in the Brain and readily crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier.
The Health Benefits of Docosahexaenoic Acid:
AGING PROCESS
• Levels in the Brain decline with the Aging Process.
• May prevent the Age-Related shortening of Telomeres.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
• Supplementation may reduce Arrhythmias by up to 50%
• Slows the progression of Atherosclerosis.
• Helps prevent Abnormal Blood Clotting.
• May lower Blood Pressure by increasing Prostaglandin E1 and inhibiting Aldosterone.
• May prevent Ischemic Heart Disease.
• Heart Attacks may be prevented by supplementation.
• Helps to prevent Strokes and the Dementia that follows a Stroke.
• Improves one’s total Cholesterol profile by increasing HDL Cholesterol (good Cholesterol) and lowering LDL Cholesterol (bad Cholesterol).
• Triglycerides may be reduced by up to 65% with supplementation.
• May lower Homocysteine levels.
• Inhibits HMG-CoA Reductase.
• Fibrinogen levels may be reduced by supplementation.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
• May protect the Small Intestine from the damage caused by Methotrexate therapy.
• Crohn’s Disease symptoms may be improved by supplementation.
• May prevent Ulcerative Colitis (UC).
• Helps to protect the Small Intestine from the damage caused by Methotrexate therapy.
EYES / VISION
• Helps prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).
• Cataracts may be prevented by supplementation.
• Helps prevent Dry Eyes.
• Glaucoma symptoms may be improved by supplementation.
• May prevent Nigh Blindness.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa patients are deficient and supplementation may alleviate symptoms.
• May improve sight by optimizing the function of the Retina.
• Highly concentrated in the Retina and may enhance the functioning of the Cones and Rods within the Eye.
• May protect Photoreceptors from Free-Radical damage.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
• Can enhance the efficacy of some Cancer Drugs.
• DHA may be useful in the prevention and treatment of the following Cancers:
▪ Breast
▪ Colon
▪ Kidney
▪ Leukemia
▪ Liver
▪ Lung
▪ Melanoma
▪ Neuroblastoma
▪ Pancreatic
▪ Prostate
▪ Stomach
• May inhibit Hepatitis C.
• Reduces Inflammation.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may be alleviated by supplementation.
• May inhibit the Inflammation caused by Rhinoviruses.
• May prevent Periodontal Disease.
• Inhibits excessive production of Interleukin 1 (IL1) and Interleukin 6 (IL6).
• May inhibit excessive production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).
METABOLISM
• May improve the condition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sufferers especially when combined with Linoleic Acid, Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) and EPA.
• Cystic Fibrosis patients may be helped by supplementation.
• Helps to prevent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver.
• Can reduce Insulin Resistance.
• Weight Loss may be enhanced by supplementation.
• May reduce the Inflammation associated with Pancreatitis.
• May increase Bone Mineral Density.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
• Deficiency can cause Aggressiveness.
• Can reduce the Dementia that follows a Stroke.
• Alzheimer’s Disease patients are deficient supplementation improves symptoms.
• Facilitates the removal of Amyloid-Beta Protein plaque from the Brain.
• May reduce Apathy and improve Motivation in the elderly.
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder patients have been shown to be deficient and supplementation may improve symptoms.
• Autism patients have lower levels compared to healthy people.
• Improves most type of Depression including Major Depressive Disorder, Manic Depression and Postpartum Depression.
• Relapse into Drug Dependency is more likely if you are deficient.
• Dyslexia may be improved by supplementation.
• Seizure frequency in Epilepsy patients may be reduced by supplementation.
• Helps to reduce the severity of Brain an Spinal Cord Injuries.
• Mania may be caused by low levels.
• Can reduce the severity of Mental Retardation.
• Multiple Sclerosis patients have been found to be deficient.
• Some cases of Neuropathy are caused by deficiency.
• May reduce Pain.
• May prevent Parkinson’s Disease.
• Schizophrenia patients have low levels.
• Can counteract some of the toxic effects of Stress.
• Administered to Women during Lactation may increase the Intelligence of their offspring.
• A deficiency during fetal development and early infancy may lead to permanent Learning Disabilities. Supplementation during this period may increase Intelligence.
• May improve Memory in healthy adults.
• Highly concentrated in the Brain and supplementation may:
▪ Increase Gray Matter in the Amygdala
▪ Enhance Nerve Growth Factor-induced outgrowth (regeneration) of Axons
▪ Stimulate the growth of Dendrites
▪ Protect the Brain from the toxic after-effects of Stroke
▪ Prevent shrinkage of the Hypothalamus
▪ Prevent shrinkage of Neurons
▪ Protect the Brain from damage from Cerebral Insufficiency / Hypoxia
▪ Increase Dopamine levels
▪ Increase Acetylcholine levels
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• May prevent Bronchitis.
• Symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may be improved by supplementation.
• May prevent Emphysema.
• Improves overall Lung Function.
• People with Sleep Apnea often have low levels.
SEXUAL SYSTEM (Female)
• Supplementation during Pregnancy may improve birth weight, Attention Span, Learning Ability, Memory and Intelligence of offspring.
• Can lower elevated Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels.
SEXUAL SYSTEM (Male)
• Male Infertility may be alleviated by supplementation.
• Can lower elevated Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels.
SKIN
• May alleviate Atopic Eczema.
• Symptoms of Psoriasis are improved with supplementation.
EPA-DHA Capsules
USAGE
The therapeutic doses of EPA range from 400-4,000mg per day. Animal (fish) sources of EPA are believed to be better suited for supporting brain health. EPA is best taken with or after meals. Use caution if you take blood thinners as EPA combined with these drugs could increase bleeding risk.
The optimal intake of DHA is 600-2,200 mg per day. A proposed RDI for DHA is 650mg daily. The average Western diet only supplies 100mg of DHA daily. DHA should be taken during or after meals. Vegetarians are well advised to supplement with DHA as long term vegetarians exhibit low levels of DHA. Consuming Alcohol depletes the body of DHA.
CAUTIONS:
• EPA/DHA can increase the effectiveness of certain blood thinners. If you supplement with DHA please check with your physician regarding this interaction as the dosage of your blood thinning medication may need to be reduced. DO NOT REDUCE YOUR MEDICATION without first checking with your doctor.
My Personal Recommendations:
Eicosapentaenoic/Docosahexaenoic Acid – 550mg
Eicosapentaenoic/Docosahexaenoic Acid – 900mg
Fish oil supplements naturally contain more EPA than DHA. If you are using Omega 3s for cognitive health some find it beneficial to adjust the ratio of EPA:DHA to contain more DHA by adding additional DHA. To ensure proper metabolism of Omega-3s, learn how GLA benefits the body by preventing the formation of undesirable Leukotrienes.
Receive my personal support with each verifiable purchase made through this site.
Get answers to your questions either by
email or telephone.
Take advantage of my 35 plus years of experience as a researcher and healer.
Just use the CONTACT form to initiate the process.