In Australia, a group of 75 children, ages 7 to12, underwent cognitive assessments. Students with higher levels of omega 3EPA/DHA (marine sourced fatty acids) reported less anxiety and better word recall compared to children with high omega-6 levels (the type of fats found in fast food and processed foods) who had measurable attention deficits that correlated to lower reading and spelling levels.

The study from Australia is just one of several reports indicating that omega-3 with EPA and DHA found in fatty fish and fish oil are important for good cognitive functioning. The long and uniquely flexible omega 3 EPA /DHA chains are indispensable for the proper nutrient exchange across the cell membrane and help with the transmission of signals in the brain.

This study is the first to compare blood level of Omega-3 in children who have ADHD with and without learning difficulties, and supports emerging indications that the former may be more likely responders to omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA.

Source:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21828168
J Child Health Care. 2011 Aug 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, cognition and literacy in children with ADHD with and without learning difficulties.

Milte CM, Sinn N, Buckley JD, Coates AM, Young RM, Howe PR.

Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Australia.

Featured Products

Children’s DHA – 360 chewables

Children’s DHA Liquid, 8 oz

Nordic Naturals, the industry leader in omega-3 fish oil recently received a prestigious gold award this year for its Children’s DHA from alive Magazine. The alive Awards promote and recognize outstanding product innovation while enhancing the credibility of natural health products. Since 1994, these prestigious gold, silver, and bronze awards have been presented to manufacturers for the best consumer products in a variety of natural health categories.

The gold winner in “Children’s Products”, Children’s DHA is Canada’s leading fish oil product for children, and has been a favorite among children and their families for many years. Made entirely from Arctic cod liver oil, Children’s DHA is rich in the omega-3 DHA, essential for the proper function of the brain, eyes, nervous, and immune systems. Easily swallowed or chewed by children three and over, this product is available in strawberry-flavored liquid or chewable soft gels. Children’s DHA also contains healthy levels of 100% natural vitamins A and D.

Featured Products

Enzymatic Therapy’s Cholesterol Shield provides healthy dose of Plant sterols

Concentrated EPA DHA Omega-3 with Red Yeast Rice and CoQ10,

Here are some tips to complement your omega-3 intake for healthy heart with additional key nutrients.

Phytosterols or Plant Sterols

Simply stated, phytosterols are the “fat” of plants. The major phytosterols found in nature are beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. The typical daily diet contains 100-300 mg of phytosterols.

At usual levels of consumption, phytosterols have little effect on blood cholesterol concentration. However, because phytosterols share structural similarities with cholesterol, they bind to sites in the intestines that would be used for cholesterol binding were they not blocked. Dietary consumption of phytosterols in the 1200 mg per dose range has been shown to reduce intestinal and biliary cholesterol absorption and helps to retain healthy cholesterol levels that are already within normal limits.

Red yeast rice and CoQ10

Combine the proven cardiovascular benefits of Omega-3 (at least 1 gm of DHA and EPA) with the lipid-metabolizing red yeast rice and the antioxidant power of CoQ10 to support healthy blood lipid levels, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, in healthy individuals.

Featured Products

Enzymatic Therapy’s popular GS-500 glucosamine sulfate with low molecular weight, marine-source chondroitin sulfate.


MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), a stable metabolite of DMSO, is a biologically active sulfur that supports healthy connective tissue.

Nature’s Way Hydraplenish is Biocell Collagen (Type II) naturally providing Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin with added MSM.

“Arthritis is a debilitating disease that profoundly impacts the lives of millions of Americans on a daily basis,” says John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO, Arthritis Foundation.  The message from Arthritis Foundation for May which is the Arthritis Awareness Month is that “Moving is the best medicine“.

From an inflammation management perspective and support joint cartilage rebuilding and support, certain science based natural supplements may work for long term use compared to NSAID pain relief medications.  However, please consult with your doctor before starting any supplementation program to make sure there are no interactions. The most common natural supplements include:

• Glucosamine and Chondroitin
• MSM which is a bioactive sulfur
• Collagen (Type II) that is predominant in cartilage
• Hyaluronic Acid (Joint Fluid)
• Omega-3 fish oil
• Green-Lipid-Mussel Extract
• Borage oil

These can help to manage inflammation and reduce debilitating pain.  With pain relief comes the ability to keep moving and keep up good blood circulatory health which is so essential for arthritis management. Each person is unique and some combination of these supplements can help with pain relief in a synergistic manner. Having said this, we agree with the Arthritis Foundation that “Moving is the best medicine”. Supplements and pain relief medications play only a supporting role in keeping you physically active longer!

Baby Dha

Nordic Naturals purity and safety is unparalleled that they have bravely introduced a DHA formula for infants 5 – 35 lb.

This is just in time as new clinical study shows that Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) when added to infant formula may improve the visual acuity of the infants. Doses of 0.32 and 0.64 % DHA led to improvements in eye health of infants, compared to infants fed non-supplemented formula, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

DHA, which constitutes approximately 40% of the brain, supports brain development during the last trimester of pregnancy when the unborn child’s demand for neurological growth increases greatly. After child birth, the infant continues to need adequate DHA source from breast milk or supplementation for proper development of the brain, eyes, and nervous and immune system.

Nordic Naturals Baby DHA:

• Supports the proper development of the brain, eyes, and nervous and immune systems in babies 5–35 lbs*
• Supports learning and language abilities*
• With added natural vitamin D3 for further support of healthy development*
• The measured dropper makes it easy to add to formula or food.

Dosage depends on baby weight. The following table is provided as guideline:

Suggested use for infants:

Nordic Naturals fish oils surpass all national and international pharmaceutical standards for freshness. Every batch of Nordic Naturals fish oils is third-party tested to guarantee exceptional freshness and purity levels, and is free from heavy metals and environmental toxins.

Now Available – Click Here to BUY at WorldofOmega.com.

Featured Products

Nordic Naturals Omega Longevity – EPA/ DHA Omega-3 with Resveratrol and Green Tea Extract – 60 softgels/ $50.96 (15% Off).

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega with CoQ10- 60ct – $29.71

Nordic Naturals EPA Lemon – Available 60/ 120 ct

Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease

New Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association

The news about omega-3 benefits keeps coming! The evidence continues to grow stronger. Patients with coronary heart disease showed relatively longer “telomeres” when taking omega-3. As we age, our cells continue to divide and the “telomeres” shrink in size and thus is a marker of biological age. Shorter telomeres have been correlated with death and heart failure in several studies.

In a study published in this week’s JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), researchers measured telomere length in over 600 patients over 5 years. The study found that people with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their system had significantly less shrinkage in telomeres over five years, as compared with patients with lower omega-3 levels.

“What we’re demonstrating is a potentially new link between omega-3 fatty acids and the aging process,” said Ramin Farzaneh-Far, a clinical cardiologist and assistant medical professor at UCSF and San Francisco General Hospital who is the lead author of the research.

This comes just after other recent studies showing the benefits of omega-3 to heart patients. Just in August of 2009 a study was published in the August 11, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, which reviewed data on four trials involving almost 40,000 participants and overwhelmingly confirmed the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, in treatment after heart attack and, most recently, in heart failure patients.

The researchers conclude that the current recommendations on omega-3 fatty acids don’t change and the following guide from American Heart Association (AHA) on appropriate dosage levels is very much valid:

The AHA notes that patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from capsules should only do so under a physician’s care.  High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people.

Sources: Journal of American Medical Association. American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, and The Wall Street Journal

Featured Products

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega with 1000IU Vitamin D3 – 60ct/ 120.

Nordic Naturals Ultimate DHA Eye with Lutein and Zeaxanthin – 60ct/ $42.46

Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 (1000 IU) in organic olive oil – 120ct for $13.56

Rising Healthcare Costs

Rising healthcare costs remains the talk of the nation. It is interesting to note that research commissioned by the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA) couple of years ago shows that  appropriate use of select dietary supplements would improve the health of key populations and save the nation more than $24 billion in healthcare costs over 5 years. The study updated research conducted by The Lewin Group in 2004 and 2005 that included a systematic literature review of the most rigorous scientific research available.
 
“Rapidly escalating healthcare costs in the U.S. have severe implications for our society as a whole,” said Jon Benninger, president of DSEA. “This study provides valuable data that may lead to preventative healthcare solutions and address the budgetary problems facing federal and state health insurance programs, corporate healthcost managers and individual families.”

Key study findings include:
 
•    Calcium with Vitamin D: Appropriate use of calcium with Vitamin D for the Medicare population shows potential avoidance of approximately 776,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures over five years, as well as avoidance of stays in skilled nursing facilities for some proportion of patients. The five-year (2008-2012) estimated net cost associated with avoidable hospitalization for hip fracture is approximately $16.1 billion.

•    Folic Acid: If just 11.3 million of the 44 million American women who are of childbearing age and not taking folic acid began taking 400 mcg. of folic acid on a daily basis neural tube defects could be prevented in 600 babies, saving as much as $344,700,000 in the first year. Over five years, taking into account the cost of the supplement, $1.4 billion could potentially be saved.

•    Omega 3 Fatty Acids: The estimate of the potential five-year savings in health care expenditures resulting from a reduction in the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) among the population over age 65 through daily intake of approximately 1800 mg of omega 3 is $3.2 billion. Approximately 374,301 hospitalizations and associated physician fees due to CHD could be avoided.

•    Lutein with Zeaxanthin: Through daily intake of 6-10 mg of lutein with zeaxanthin, it is estimated that $3.6 billion could be saved over 5 years by helping people with age-related macular degeneration avoid dependency. Across the five-year period, approximately 190,927 individuals could avoid the transition to dependence either in the community or a nursing facility that would accompany a loss of central vision resulting from advanced AMD.

“The impressive results of the study provide clear evidence of the benefit of dietary supplements,” said Mr. Benninger. “As an industry, it is important that we fund studies like this and publicize results, so that consumers and legislators realize the value of supplements.”

Source: http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view/214

Featured Products

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Effervescent Drink Mix – 15% off. $29.71 – 21ct

According to Bradley West, ND, Nordic Naturals Research Advisor, “in traditional delivery systems like soft gels, the omega-3s in cod liver oil need to be gradually broken down by stomach acids in order to be absorbed in the small intestine. With the effervescent technology in place, the omega-3s can be absorbed and enter the blood stream faster – in as little as 15 minutes.” In addition to quicker absorption, the product is also easy on the stomach. The organic food acid combines with the carbonate, which buffers the effervescent solution to a normal pH. “Omega-3 Effervescent is the ultimate solution for individuals with digestive challenges, or those that find it hard to swallow soft gels, as well as the perfect way to ensure compliance when traveling,” adds Dr. West.

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Effervescent contains cod liver oil made from Arctic cod harvested in a sustainable manner from Norwegian waters. Arctic cod is a flourishing fish population that has the highest DHA content of any cod species, as well as naturally occurring vitamins A and D. The formula contains added natural vitamin D3 for enhanced bone, mood and immune support. Sweetened with stevia in creamy orange flavor, the product has no oily feel or texture and never smells or tastes fishy. Omega-3 Effervescent is available in 7 and 21 count packages and can be used by both children and adults. More information is available at www.drinkyouromegas.com.

Featured Products

Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA Liquid, Strawberry – 4 Fl. oz / 8 Fl. oz.

Carlson Kids Chewable DHA Orange Flavor, 120 chewables

Spectrum Vegetarian Children’s DHA Strawberry-Banana – 90 chewables

At the request of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) backed up DHA-related brain and eye health claims for infants.

EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) said DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) levels of 100mg of per day were appropriate for 7-24 month-old infants along with 200mg per day for pregnant and lactating women.

The following are the DHA Claims supported by EFSA’s panel:

“DHA intake can contribute to normal brain development of the foetus, infant and young children”
“DHA intake can contribute to normal development of the eye of the foetus, infant and young children”
“DHA intake can contribute to the visual development of the infant”
The NDA said any more specific brain and eye functions would need to be backed by further science.

“Please note that developmental steps are not directly related to cognitive functions as it may depend on brain domains and areas,” NDA head of unit, Dr Juliane Kleiner wrote in the advice. “Therefore to support a claim for DHA and cognitive function more studies using different parameters would be needed.”

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/food/efsa/comments/efsa_reply_Q-2009-548.pdf

Featured Products

Nordic Naturals Ultimate DHA Eye
Sale Price $42.46 (60ct)

Nordic Naturals DHA Strawberry
Sale Price $24.61- (60 ct)

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Purified Fish Oil
Available 60/120/180 ct

Macular Degeneration

DENVER, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers are seeing more benefits of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s), such as their ability to help prevent and slow age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that is the leading cause of severe vision loss in older people. Fish consumption also seems to benefit seniors by thwarting dementia and the omega-3s in fish may improve cognition in adolescents and children. New research in these areas is described in the September 2009 PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life e-newsletters.

In 10 years of follow-up, the Blue Mountains Eye Study in Australia reported that older adults who ate fish weekly and those with the highest intakes of omega-3s from all sources were significantly less likely to develop early AMD. In U.S. research, late stage AMD was delayed in people who had the highest intakes of seafood omega-3s plus a diet with a low glycemic index (minimal impact on blood sugar levels after consumption).

Eating fish regularly also seems to help prevent dementia. A large study in several low- and middle-income countries found that fish consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of dementia in adults aged 65 or older.

“Fish consumption appears to be protective in most, if not all, populations,” said Joyce Nettleton, D.Sc., editor of the PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life. “This has clear implications for reducing the burden of mental illness in aging populations worldwide.”

Seafood omega-3s may benefit mental health and brain function in younger people, too, according to other research. In toddlers, those whose mothers had higher intakes of the omega-3 DHA had greater attention and were less easily distracted compared with toddlers of low DHA mothers. Older children who consumed a spread enriched with seafood omega-3s for six months had significantly improved verbal learning ability and memory. In Sweden, adolescent males who ate fish more than once a week scored significantly higher on intelligence assessments than males who ate fish less than once a week.

“These studies are among the first to document cognitive improvements with greater fish or omega-3 consumption in childhood and adolescence,” Nettleton noted. “It appears that omega-3s may benefit people of all ages.”

The quarterly PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life, sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products, are accessible at www.fatsoflife.com.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Joyce A. Nettleton, D.Sc.

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=76830

SOURCE Fats of Life