What is Omega-3?

 

The Omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA) is alpha linolenic acid (ALA). It is important to realise that 'essential' means just that - we absolutely have to have them to live and be healthy; our bodies cannot make them, so we have to obtain them from our food or from food supplements.

 

There are four important Omega-3's:

  • alpha linolenic acid or ALA - flax seed oil
  • stearidonic acid or SDA - blackcurrant seed oil
  • eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA - fish oils
  • docosahexaenoic acid or DHA - fish oils

Healthy people are able to convert flax seed oil to EPA and DHA, but some of the stresses of modern living mean that some people need to consume additional SDA to ensure they produce adequate EPA and DHA.

 

So what do Omega-3's do in our body?

 

Alpha Linolenic Acid is important for:

 

  1. The transport and metabolism of both cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats). They are able to lower high cholesterol levels by up to 25% and high triglycerides by up to 65%
  2. The structure of the membranes that surround each cell and organelle in the body. Lack of undamaged ALA can cause 'leaky' membranes, allowing substances which ought not, to pass in and out of the cell, which can cause allergies, eczema, skin conditions, asthma etc.
  3. Flax seed oil and sulphur amino acids (eggs & dairy products like yoghurt or cottage cheese) together are involved in oxygen transport across the cell membranes. They increase lowered vitality and many people feel an increase in energy when first taking flax oil. Muscles recover more rapidly after exercise, because of an increased rate of lactic acid breakdown, and athletes often experience improved performance.  At high levels of intake (45 - 60 ml per day) metabolic rate is increased, which can assist in burning excess body fat. The increased oxygen transport, which effectively improves blood 'circulation', which decreases the risk of gangrene in diabetics and cold extremities
  4. Flax seed oil slows down the growth of cancer cells, candida and other anaerobic organisms which cannot live in the presence of oxygen

    5. SDA, EPA and DHA are important for:

     

    1. Normal development and function of the brain. The highest concentrations of Omega-3 EFAs in the body occur in the brain, retina and testes and there can be irreversible damage to vision and learning ability if the foetus and young baby are deficient. Recent research is linking brain disorders as diverse as Multiple Sclerosis, Post Natal Depression, Schizophrenia and Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADD / ADHD) with lack of EPA and DHA
    2. The body makes eicosanoids (hormone like messengers in the body)  from EPA, which regulate the following functions:
      • platelet stickiness. A single 15 ml dose of flax seed oil can restore platelet stickiness to normal, but the dose must be repeated daily to maintain these levels. High platelet stickiness is the first stage of clot formation which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, phlebitis and pulmonary embolism.
      • arterial muscle tone, which involves them in maintaining normal blood pressure
      • the inflammatory response, which involves them in controlling all inflammatory conditions like arthritis and psoriasis.
      • sodium excretion, which involves them in controlling water retention - PMS and overweight.
      • immune function, which involves them in conditions such as virus infections, cancer, AIDS and allergies.

       

      All these regulatory functions are reversing the 'fight or flight' or stress response in the body, so if your body is deficient in Omega-3 you do not wind down normally from the stress response.

      Flax seed oil has also been proven to be beneficial in treatment programs against diabetes; as Omega-3 EFAs have the function of normalising fat metabolism and decreasing the amount of insulin required by diabetics. The removal of sugar and saturated fatty acids and addition of Omega-3 EFAs also helps to treat peripheral nerve damage in Type II diabetes.