Benefits and Risk of Omega-3 Fish Oil

Presented By: Daniel KnauszAdvisor: Dr. Bill Grimes

April 18, 2008

Background on Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Fish Oil is extracted from the flesh of fish. It is primarily composed of two fatty acids known as Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and also contains smaller portions of Alpa-Linolenic Acid (ALA).

• EPA and DHA acids are considered normal constituents of some human tissues, including brain cells, retina, adrenals, and sex organs; all the most active tissues in the body.

Background on Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• These acids were given their name when researchers found that they were essential to normal growth in young children, thus they are defined as “Essential Fatty Acids.”

• These acids can not be absorbed through the body, so it is up to our diet to determine the amount of Omega- 3 fatty acids in which we consume.

Background on Omega- 3 Fatty Acids

• EPA and DHA are precursors to eicosanoids and provide an anti-inflammatory effect throughout the body

• These fatty acids are used in the formation and fluidity of cell membranes, which help with maintenance of blood pressure and heart rate, nervous system function, and in hemostatic regulation, consisting of blood clotting and thromboxane production.

• . EPA is a long chain fatty acid. It is the single vital nutrient that controls communication between nerve cells and the brain.

• DHA is another long chain fatty acid. It is known as the building block of the brain cells since it is the most important component that makes up the brain

Background on Omega- 3 Fatty Acids

• EPA and DHA fatty acids are more commonly found in cold water fish such as salmon and tuna.

• This is one of the main reasons why people agree that these fish are good for our overall health

• Omega-3 fatty acids can be purchased at any retail store and do not require a prescription or a medical practitioner referral. It is not expensive, usually ranging from $7 to $12 and usually come in capsules that contain 1000mg.

Background on Omega- 3 Fatty Acids

• It can be taken up to three times daily and is usually more effective after a meal. The gel or capsule is usually enteric coated which protects the substances inside the capsule until it reaches the small intestine where it is readily absorbed.

• Although, excess amounts of fish oil is harmful to the body, Fish oil supplements do not contain any form of mercury, according to the manufactures of the drug.

Prescription Fish Oil Supplements

• There is currently one omega-3 medication that does require a prescription. This medication is generally used for those who have high triglyceride levels and its action is to significantly lower these unwanted levels

• The medication is called Lovaza (Omega-3 acid ethyl ester), previous known as Omnicor, and is made up of a unique blend of EPA and DHA. These two substances are the main contributors to the lowering of triglyceride levels.

• This medication is naturally derived and is also FDA approved. Lovaza does not have any drug abuse or withdrawal effects.

• Lovaza capsules come in a 1G dose. The daily recommended dose is 4G per day. It can be taken as a single dose of 4 capsules or can be taken at two separate occasions that include 2G per dose. It is recommended that this product be taken with meals

Prescription Fish Oil Supplements

• This drug is estimated to cost patients $300 per month if the patient does not have any health insurance.

• Common makeup of Prescription Lovaza

Common problems with low intake of fatty acids

• Some of the problems that can occur with low intake of Omega- 3 fatty acids include: dry, itchy skin, as well as coarse, bumpy patches on the skin, soft broken nails, dry, dull hair, and allergies.

• Other problems can cause poor brain function and brain development in children.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• Heart problems, cholesterol, arthritis, and diabetes are some of the major conditions in which fish oil provides some form of benefit or improved health.

• Fish oil supplements seem to have an anti-arrhythmic effect on the heart as well as prevent cardiac arrest. In doing this, fish oil can help lower the mortality rate of those individuals having heart complications

• Fish oil can benefit the heart because the EPA and DHA that make up the supplement helps to prevent plaque deposits and blood clots inside arteries.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• Fish oil improves the ability of muscle cells to take up glucose in the presence of insulin.

• This proves to be beneficial to those with type II diabetes.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• Fish oil helps with cholesterol by lowering levels of LDL while also increasing levels of HDL

• This may limit the amount of prescription anti-hyperlipidemic drugs that a person might have to take in their lifetime.

• Fish oil has been shown to influence cholesterol by altering the production and catabolsim rates of HDL apolipoproteins.

• The high rates of HDL can lead to a decrease in atherosclerosis by eliminating excess cholesterol from arterial cells.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• Fish oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, especially the Eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA). They can improve overall function in joints as well as limit the amount of other anti-inflammatory drugs that a patient must consume with conditions such as arthritis or other inflammatory disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• Fish oil has been shown to have effects in dealing with certain psychological disorders.

• It has been found that omega- 3 fatty acids are known to have membrane enhancing capabilities in brain cells.

• They cause more production of two neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine.

• This allows patients to focus better on tasks that are at hand without as many distractions. The effects of Serotonin have been shown to help individuals better deal with stress and other activities.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• Fish oil has also been shown to have a number of beneficial benefits on the brain

• It has been shown that 60% of the brain is made up of a structural fat, which has a high number of DHA in it, and the brain requires a regular intake of good fats such as the ones from omega-3 fatty acids.

• Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, depression, aggression, Alzheimer’s Disease, or other dementia.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• The fatty acids that make up fish oil have proven to be effective in autistic patients with those individuals taking the supplement improving in language and learning skills in at least 8 different testing areas.

• Possible benefits to autistic patients showed decreases in hyperactivity

in their behavior

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• There have also been a number of small trials where fish oil has been proven to be effective in treating children with ADHD

• In these studies, it was documented that students had a increase in school performance as well as a decline in restlessness.

• This can benefit a child because Fish Oil has minimal side effects compared to the neuro stimulatory drugs that are usually prescribed for ADHD.

Common Uses for Fish Oil

• There have also been studies that indicate that Fish Oil relates to the risk of cancer.

• It has been shown to help prevent three of the most common cancers, which are breast, prostate, and colon.

• Omega- 3 Fish oil may stop the alteration of a normal cell to a cancerous mass, they may inhibit unwanted cellular growth, and cause apoptosis of cancer cells.

Possible Contraindications to Fish Oil Use

• Possible contraindications include those who are allergic to fish or have developed a hypersensitivity to fish products.

• Any person that has a bleeding problem or who is currently taking warfarin or another anticoagulant therapy should probably not take this supplement.

• Fish oil has been shown to lower blood pressure; those individuals who usually have low blood pressure should not take this supplement because it may lead to severe hypotension.

• Some patients may also complain of skin rashes, in this event, the patient

should stop taking the supplement.• Many patients will complain of a fishy aftertaste with the supplement and

should be encouraged to take it with meals.

Conclusion

• . There will be many patients who encounter their medical professionals to decide if this supplement is right for them

• Fish Oil will be one of the main supplements that will be debated in a number of medical studies.

• Providers should educate their patients about the overall benefits that can come from this alternative supplement as well as assess their risk

• . Many people do not realize that the fatty acids that are found in fish oil are essential to our overall health. As healthcare providers, it is up to us to inform our patients about the valuable source of energy and nutrients that this supplement can offer.

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