In an effort to establish what works—or doesn’t work—to raise children’s intelligence, new research found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, enrolling them in quality preschool, and employing interactive reading were most effective.

The research, conducted by NYU doctoral student, John Protzko analyzed data from the best available studies involving children from birth and kindergarten to create a “Database of Raising Intelligence.”

The Big Three

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Supplementing pregnant women with Omega-3 fatty acids were found to boost children’s IQ by more than 3.5 points. These essential fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may help raise intelligence by providing the building blocks for nerve cell development that the body cannot produce on its own.

Quality Pre-school –Enrollment in an early education program was found to raise a child’s IQ by more than four points; interventions that specifically included a center-based education component raised a child’s IQ by more than seven points. Preschools that include a language development component were found to boost IQ by more than seven points.

The researchers found no evidence to support the idea that early education interventions that take place earlier in childhood are more effective than those that begin later.

Interactive Reading – Teaching parents how to engage their children while reading with them were found to raise children’s IQ by over 6 points. These interventions do not seem to have an effect for children over 4 years old, suggesting that the interventions may accelerate language development, which, in turn, boosts IQ.

What We Learned

In a nutshell, says Protzko, “Our current findings strengthen earlier conclusions that complex environments build intelligence, but do cast doubt on others, including evidence that earlier interventions are always most effective. Overall, identifying the link between essential fatty acids and intelligence gives rise to tantalizing new questions for future research and we look forward to exploring this finding.”

Current research in the role of fatty acids in brain development and cognitive function are covered in these posts:

• Young Adult Brains Benefit From Fish Oil Too
• Solving the Mystery: Why Eating Fish Improves Memory
• Support Your Baby’s Immune System Before Birth

Source:

New York University

A new study delving into Omega-3 (fish oil) and it’s affect on our metabolism and brain function provides further support for the recommendation to eat 2-3 servings of oily fish per week. According to their findings, fish oil not only promotes healthy metabolic functions and cardiovascular health, these benefits in turn directly support cognitive function.

It’s studies like these that explain why many doctors highly recommend fish oil for overall health—so much so that it’s one of the most popular supplements in America.

Study Details

For the study, 40 healthy participants between the ages of 51 and 72 received either three grams of fish oil containing 1,500 mg of EPA and 1,050 mg DHA or a placebo for a period of five weeks. After a “wash out” period of five weeks, the groups switched treatments.

Among those receiving fish oil, the researchers reported:

• An inverse association between fish oil consumption and markers for metabolic and cardiovascular health
• Better performance in working memory and cognitive function tests
• The relationship between metabolic and cardiovascular health were also inversely associated with cognitive function.

Fish Oil Sources

If you enjoy seafood, the best sources of fish oil are from the following fish species as they contain the fewest contaminants (mercury and PCBs) while still providing a good source of EPA and DHA:

• Salmon
• Pollock
• Flounder or Sole
• Sardines
• Anchovies
• Herring

Otherwise, the safest way to get the benefits of fish without the risk of mercury is a high quality fish oil supplement.

We stipulate “high quality” as there are significant differences in the quality and potency of fish oil supplements on the market. The best quality fish oil supplements are made from smaller fish that typically contain little or no mercury and PCBs to begin with. Then the oil is purified and concentrated to provide high amounts of EPA and DHA. And finally, as fish oil can spoil, so look for a high quality fish oil supplement that contains an antioxidant to preserve freshness and prevent rancidity (spoilage).

Source:

NutraIngredients

When a prestigious medical journal recently published a meta-analysis of fish oil studies that determined that fish oil was NOT associated with a statistically significant reduction in risk of major cardiovascular events, it seemed to fly in the face of decades of research.

How could this be true? The heart health benefits of fish oil have been well documented since the 1970s.

We were curious about the contradiction in research so we sought out an explanation from one of the most well respected authorities on nutrition and functional foods—The Linus Pauling Institute (LPI).

Their explanation in an article published in the Journal of Lipid Research cleared things up nicely. In a nutshell, LPI professor Donald Jump says the evidence supporting the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is strong, despite ‘less conclusive’ recent studies. He makes several important points about the recent analysis.

Jump notes that the vast majority of studies included in the analysis were secondary prevention trials, meaning that the recruited subjects had pre-existing CVD or were at increased cardiovascular risk. Thus, supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs may not appear to support cardiovascular health in patients who have CVD and likely taking drug therapy (e.g., statins, aspirin, anti-hypertensive medications).

“When so many people in these studies are taking a regimen of medications to address the same issues that fish oil might also affect, it’s easy to understand why any added benefit from the fish oils is more difficult to detect,” Jump explained.

By contrast, many of the early studies were done before more modern drugs were available. “The studies done several decades ago showed value even for that patient population (those with CVD), but the more recent studies are less conclusive. We believe that one explanation is the effectiveness of current state-of-the-art treatments now being offered,” he added.

However, observational epidemiologic studies have consistently found that increased fish consumption or higher omega-3 PUFA blood levels are associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events in healthy adults.

Omega-3 Benefits

Beyond cardiovascular health, fish oils are important for visual and neurological development as well as supporting healthy inflammatory balance and cognitive function as we age. Omega-3 PUFAs can be obtained from both food and supplemental sources. If you do not regularly consume fish, the LPI recommends a two-gram fish oil supplement several times per week.

Sources:

Linus Pauling Institute

Journal of Lipid Research

NutraIngredients

Anyone who’s in midlife or beyond has probably noticed that you have to work harder to maintain muscle strength and mass as you age. However, a pilot study suggests that fish oil may make your muscles act younger, minimizing the effect of normal age-related muscle loss.

Aging Muscles

During healthy aging, muscle size is reduced by approximately 0.5-2% a year. This process - known as sarcopenia - can result in a reduction in quality of life and loss of independence.

One way muscle function can be maintained is through exercise.  But as we age our body is less able to increase muscle mass through exercise alone.  In the last few years, researchers have found that our body needs additional nutritional support as well, including added protein, certain vitamins and now, fish oil.

Study Details

Among a group of elderly women, University of Aberdeen researchers found that 12 weeks of resistance exercise training coupled with taking fish oil improved muscle strength by 20% compared to an 11% increase in the placebo group.

“We believe the benefits of fish oil are due to a number of factors. Older people tend to have low-level inflammation in the body which interferes with the muscles’ ability to increase strength and mass. The anti-inflammatory qualities found in fish oil may reduce this inflammation and therefore inhibit this interference,” said lead researcher, Dr. Stuart Gray.

The omega-3 found in fish oil helps make muscles more fluid and proteins involved in increasing muscle mass function at a higher level in the body, he added.

Based on these encouraging results, a new longer study will soon be underway.  In this study, males and females over the age of 65 will participate in an 18 week course of resistance training.  Half the participants will take fish oil supplements the other half a placebo.

To determine the impact of fish oil in combating sarcopenia, the research will monitor changes in muscle including mass, volume and fat content using MRI. They will also measure insulin sensitivity and inflammation in blood samples and changes in protein synthesis and molecular signaling in muscle biopsies.

The research team hopes that providing new insights into the benefits of fish oil on muscles could lead to the development of new treatments to prevent against the loss of muscle with age.

Source:

The University of Aberdeen

When you think about “growing old gracefully,” what comes to mind?

If you’re like most people, it’s a combination of many factors including maintaining a sharp mind, a healthy body, and a positive outlook.

With our aging population, there’s no shortage of advice and myriad strategies for staying young.

For those that want to take the “natural” approach to healthy aging, experts say maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is the foundation for good health as we grow older.

Specifically, research consistently supports these key strategies for aging gracefully:

• Consuming primarily a plant-based diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables and vegetarian protein sources such as nuts, beans and seeds.
• Eating at least two servings of oily fish per week.
• Limiting sugar, salt and saturated fats from meat and dairy.
• Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day most days of the week.
• Taking care of your emotional health by building an emotional support system and good coping skills.
• Getting plenty of rest—at least 7-8 hours of sleep on most nights.

But there’s much more you can do to naturally support your body as the years go by. We call it, “taking it to the next level.”

Level Two

Level two goes beyond basic diet and exercise by providing your body with additional nutritional support in the form of supplements. You may wonder, “why is this necessary?” Well, there’s a few reasons:

• With age, our digestive system often doesn’t work as well as it used to. This can reduce the amount of nutrients we obtain from foods and explains why vitamin B12 deficiency is so common in older people.
• As we get older we are also more likely to take medication for a chronic condition. These medications can contribute to vitamin or mineral deficiencies. For example, statin drugs may affect CoQ10 levels which are necessary for energy production in muscles like the heart.
• Our skin loses some of its ability to make vitamin D from sunlight as we age. And because few foods contain adequate amounts of vitamin D, as many as 75% of seniors are deficient in this important nutrient that builds bones, supports muscle strength and promotes a healthy immune system.

So even if you eat a well balanced diet and maintain an active lifestyle, for most older people, dietary supplements are virtually a necessity.

Among the top recommended supplements for older adults are:

Multivitamins – Taking a multivitamin is a good way to fill nutritional gaps in your diet. Seniors are commonly deficient in many essential nutrients such B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Magnesium which are found in multivitamins.

Minerals – Your doctor may recommend a specific mineral complex to support bone health.

Fish Oil – The essential fatty acids in fish oil, EPA and DHA, promote normal cellular function, support cardiovascular and brain health as well as healthy skin and vision.

Vitamin D – While most multivitamins do contain some vitamin D, it is usually not enough to maintain or restore vitamin D levels in seniors who are typically deficient. Doses as high as 5,000 IU daily may be needed if you are deficient.

Resveratrol -- This plant-based antioxidant helps protect your body from free radical damage. It is often recommended to support cardiovascular and overall health. Another option is a supplement like Oximax Complex, which is blend of several antioxidants.

Ginkgo Biloba – This herb supports mental functioning by promoting circulation to the brain and other vital organs.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine – Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a form of the amino acid carnitine that helps the body turn fat into energy. In the brain, ALCAR supports cognitive function, memory and concentration. Essential Brain Nutrition contains Acetyl-L-Carnitine and a complex of other nutrients for optimal mental performance.

Doctor’s Advice

It’s very important to speak with your doctor about your dietary habits and medications so you can determine which supplements you should take and the optimal dosages.

Sources:

National Institutes of Health

Linus Pauling Institute

University of Maryland Medical Center

This post is for all of the people that avoid fish or fish oil supplements because they don’t like the “fishy” taste of seafood.

Did you know that by avoiding fish or fish oil supplements you may be missing out on essential nutrients that you must get from your diet?

We are referring to the Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The single richest source of both EPA and DHA are the fatty tissues of cold water, oily fish.

What’s the Big Deal?

EPA and DHA are essential to the normal function of your body on many levels--from microscopic cell membranes all the way up to the organ and system level. Studies link EPA and/or DHA to supporting your:  

• brain and nervous system
• bones, muscles, and joints
• cardiovascular health
• immune system

While your body can manufacture EPA from another essential fatty acid found in plants, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the conversion doesn’t happen rapidly which may still leave you deficient in EPA—especially if your diet doesn’t include ALA sources such as walnuts, flax seeds, canola and soybean oil.

So, if you’re like the typical American who doesn’t eat oily fish at least twice a week, you are likely to be deficient in EPA and DHA.

Moreover, if you eat too many “bad fats” like saturated fats from red meat and dairy without the “good fats” like those found in fish, then your risk of cardiovascular problems increase.

The Simple Solution

For many people who don’t have access to high quality seafood or just don’t like the taste of fish, fish oil supplements are the go-to solution. In fact, fish oil is now the #1 supplement among consumers and frequently recommended by doctors and other healthcare providers for their patients.

And with the development of enteric coated fish oil capsules, even those highly averse to fish will not have to risk their health because of finicky taste buds. The capsule coating prevents stomach acids from dissolving the capsule until it reaches the intestines so there’s no fishy aftertaste or “fish burps.”

Fish Oil Basics

Like any natural product, the quality of fish oil can vary and it’s important to know what to look for in a safe and effective fish oil product. We cover the gamut of tips for choosing, storing and taking fish oil in this post, Fish Oil Crowned Most Popular...

Sources:

U.S. News and World Report

University of Maryland Medical Center

You’ve probably heard by now that consuming fish can improve your memory. But understanding exactly how fish works it’s magic has been the subject of many studies.

The prime suspect in this mystery has been DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish that is necessary for brain development. But could DHA actually help older adults combat normal age-related memory problems? After all, we do know that DHA levels decline with age.

In the latest study, researchers found that lab animals fed a high-DHA diet had 30 percent higher levels of DHA in the region of the brain responsible for memory than animals fed a standard diet. Furthermore, this increase in DHA resulted in better communication between memory cells and faster relays.

This study demonstrates two important points. First, supplementing a diet with DHA leads to an increase in the levels of DHA in the brain. And second, the additional DHA actually supports healthy memory function.

But the benefits of eating fish and DHA don’t stop there. The same research team found that DHA supports vision health and function as we age.  Plus there are decades of research documenting the benefits of consuming fish for supporting cardiovascular and bone health.   

Generally, health experts recommend at least two to three servings of oily fish per week to reap these benefits. If you’re not particularly fond of fish, or concerned about mercury or other contaminants in fresh fish, fish oil supplements can provide a safe and effective alternative to fish.

Fish oil supplements contain concentrated amounts of the beneficial DHA and EPA essential fatty acids that your body needs, but that must come from your diet.

About CNCA Fish Oil:

CNCA offers three ultra-pure fish oil supplements containing high levels of EPA and DHA: EPAmax lemon flavored fish oil capsules, EPAmax Liquid Fish Oil (lemon flavored), and Omega-3 Max EC enteric coated fish oil capsules.

To ensure maximum purity and potency, all CNCA fish oil supplements undergo molecular distillation to remove impurities. Then they are independently tested for Dual Rancidity (Peroxides and Acid Value), Mercury, Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, EPA and DHA levels, PCBs, Dioxin and Dioxin-like compounds, stability and bacteria, yeast, and mold counts.

Sources:

University of Alberta

It’s probably no surprise that 84% of retail pharmacists surveyed said they receive questions about which supplements they would recommend for various health concerns. After all, they wear a white coat and are usually within a few yards of a dizzying array of supplement options.

Given that they are experts in human physiology, medication metabolism and drug interaction, they just might be the best person (aside from your doctor) to ask for a recommendation. While you’re at it, be sure to tell them what, if any medications you’re taking as some supplements can affect how drugs work.

Pharmacists’ Top Picks

According to the same survey, here are the top recommended supplements for common health concerns:

Energy – Pharmacists are twice as likely to recommend protein-based products rather than caffeine for energy. To maintain energy about three in four pharmacists (72%) recommend taking an iron supplement. About 30% recommend ginseng.

Metabolism – To derive energy from food, nine out of ten pharmacists recommend a B-complex vitamin which can help the body utilize nutrients.

Heart Health – Nine in ten recommend fish oil for cardiovascular health. About two thirds surveyed are apt to recommend flaxseed oil and about half (47%) may also suggest a garlic supplement. Vitamin D was also highly regarded by 77% of pharmacists for heart health.

Mental Alertness -- About 42% recommend Ginkgo biloba for mental alertness Immune Health – For a healthy immune system, 79% of the pharmacists say they recommend vitamin D.

Nutritional Gaps – Nine in 10 recommend multivitamins and vitamin D to fill nutritional gaps.

Quality Matters

While an overwhelming majority of pharmacists (93%) agree that taking vitamins and supplements is important for maintaining overall good health, they are equally adamant about choosing supplement brands based on quality.

In fact, product quality topped the list of important factors to consider when purchasing supplements. Specifically, they rated product purity (77%) and product potency (65%) as being paramount.

We wholeheartedly agree with the pharmacists on this point—choosing a high quality supplement ensures that you are getting a safe and effective product that will help you maintain optimal health.

CNCA goes to extreme measures to insure our products meet the highest standards for purity, potency and authenticity—We call that quality you can trust!

Source:

PR Newswire

Health guru, Dr. Mehmet Oz says it’s possible to get all the nutrients your body needs by eating a balanced diet—if you’re careful. But in his experience he often finds that many of us may not be getting enough of these five important nutrients.

Vitamin B 12

Vitamin B12 plays many essential roles in our bodies that help us feel good, look good and think clearly:

• B12 is necessary for the manufacture of red blood cells.
• It is needed for DNA to replicate normally--a process that leads to the creation healthy new cells.
• B12 supports brain and nerve health and function.
• A B12 deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, dizziness and irritability.

To make sure you’re getting enough B12 in your diet, eat foods that contain high amounts of B12 including: sardines, salmon, and beef.

Dietary Fiber

It can be difficult to get the recommended 25-35 grams of fiber daily. But doing so can yield many health benefits:

• Fiber helps you feel full longer and therefore may support weight management
• It supports cardiovascular health
• Fiber promotes blood sugar balance
• Dietary fiber promotes regularity and detoxification

Good sources of dietary fiber include: whole grain bread or pasta, oatmeal, apples, or beans.

Calcium

Most Americans--young and old--are not getting enough calcium. Calcium is not only important for healthy bones, it is vital for healthy blood vessels, muscle contractions and nerve signal transmission.

Good sources of calcium include milk and fortified orange juice. Both contain about 500 milligrams of calcium in an 8 oz glass. Dr. Oz recommends that adults get at least 1,000 – 1,300 mg of calcium a day plus 600 milligrams of magnesium per day to help your body absorb calcium.

Vitamin D

Like calcium, vitamin D is necessary for bone health, but it also supports your immune system and inflammatory balance.

Milk and some dairy products are fortified with vitamin D. Other sources include fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, as well as beef and egg yolks. Your body can also create vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Next on Dr. Oz’ list of nutrients we may be missing are omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are now the most popular dietary supplement on the market and among the top doctor recommended supplements for overall good health. Omega-3 fatty acids:

• Promote cardiovascular health
• Support inflammatory balance
• Promote joint flexibility and comfort
• DHA in fish oil promotes brain health, memory and cognitive function

Good sources of omega-3s are cod, salmon, scallops and shrimp. If you don’t care for the taste of fish, other omega-3 sources include walnuts, flax seeds and soybeans.

Plan B

Of these five nutrients, Dr. Oz says some--particularly fiber and omega-3s--are more difficult than others to obtain from your diet. That’s where you may need to go to your “back-up plan” and take dietary supplements to fill-in nutritional gaps. Just be sure you choose a supplement brand that is professionally formulated and held to the highest standards for purity, potency and authenticity through extensive quality testing.

All supplements are not the same. Learn why quality differs among supplement brands.

Sources:

Yahoo Health

According to a new study involving post menopausal women, exercise combined with omega-3 fish oil supplementation can increase bone mineral density (BMD) up to 19% and reduce inflammatory markers by as much as 80%.

The 24-week study randomly assigned 79 post-menopausal women to one of four groups:

• a control group that did not receive supplements or an exercise plan
• an exercise plan only group
• an omega-3 supplements only group (1,000 mg omega-3 per day, of which 180 mg was EPA and 120 mg was DHA)
• a combined omega-3 supplements and exercise group

The exercise plan involved walking and jogging three times a week at up to 65% of the maximum heart rate.

Study Results

At the end of the study, researchers found that the combined omega-3/exercise group experienced BMD increases of 15% in the lower back and 19% in the femur (thigh bone).

The combination group also had decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory compounds IL-6 and TNF-alpha by 40% and 80%, respectively.

No increases in BMD or decrease in inflammatory markers were observed in the other three groups.

Linking Inflammation and Bone Health

The researchers found that the decrease in inflammatory compounds correlated with the increase in BMD, suggesting that inflammatory compounds may play a role in the regulation of bone formation. Therefore, a decrease in cytokine production may be beneficial to bone mineral density. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms at work.

Read more about nutrients for healthy bones here.

Source:

Nutraingredients

Australian researchers analyzing the results of ten randomized and controlled human studies of the effects of Omega-3s on arterial stiffness found that Omega-3 supplementation resulted in a 33 - 48% improvement in vascular flexibility.

The analysis, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, included trials that ranged from 6 to 105 weeks in duration with daily supplementation of 640 to 3000 mg of combined omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) given in capsule form. A total of 550 participants which included healthy men as well as  subjects with various cardiovascular conditions, including overweight, diabetes, and hypertension took part in the trials.

All of the studies measured changes in arterial stiffness through pulse wave velocity or arterial compliance, which measures an artery’s ability to contract and expand.

Omega-3 supplementation resulted in improved responses for both forms of measurement. Pulse wave velocity was reduced by a standard mean difference of 33% while arterial compliance suggested a 48% reduction. Changes in arterial stiffness factored in any changes to blood pressure, heart rate, or body mass index.

“The findings of the present study reveal that supplementation with [omega-3] offers a scientifically supported means of reducing arterial stiffness,” wrote the study’s authors. Reduction in arterial stiffness by omega-3 may account for some of its purported cardiovascular function effects.

According to the researchers, this meta-analysis is the first of its kind to assess effects of omega-3 supplementation on arterial stiffness. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosages of EPA and DHA to elicit the affect on the arteries.

For more information about the benefits of fish oil, read this related post.

Source:

Nutritional Outlook

Last year, when the independent supplement quality testing lab ConsumerLab.com released its annual survey of the most popular dietary supplements, we weren’t too surprised to learn that fish oil was the winner, nudging multivitamins out of the #1 spot. A whopping 74% of the respondents reported taking fish oil and most of them, 44%, purchased their supplements online.

So why is fish oil first on everyone’s list? Here are just a few reasons:

• Fish Oil provides a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA are polyunsaturated fats ("good" fats, as opposed to saturated fats which are thought to increase the risk of heart disease). The body can only manufacture limited amounts of EPA and DHA from the essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) -- found in flaxseed oil, canola oil, soy oil and walnut oil.
• A large body of scientific research suggests that higher dietary omega-3 fatty acid intakes, like those found in fish oil are supportive of cardiovascular health.  Thus, the American Heart Association recommends that all adults eat fish, particularly oily fish, at least twice weekly or obtain fish oil from supplements.
• Compelling research in other areas suggest that the essential fatty acids in fish may have many other health benefits.
• Studies reveal that doctors not only recommend fish oil to their patients, they take it themselves. The study, published in Nutrition Journal, found 75 percent of dermatologists say they use dietary supplements and 66 percent recommend them to their patients; 57 percent of cardiologists use supplements and 72 percent recommend them to their patients; and 73 percent of orthopedic specialists use supplements and 91 percent recommend them. More than 25 percent of physicians in each specialty said they had used omega-3/fish body oil.
• If you are among those who just don’t like the taste of fish, or are concerned about PCBs, mercury and other possible contaminants present in some fish, then fish oil supplements may be a better choice for you. (Most supplements undergo molecular distillation or other refining process to remove contaminants. Others use only certain species of fish to ensure that the fish oil meets FDA safety standards.)

With so many fish oil supplements on the market, what should you look for in good quality fish oil? ConsumerLab.com provided these insights based on their experience conducting quality tests on supplements for over a decade:

• When buying supplements containing EPA and/or DHA, keep in mind that products vary significantly in terms of the amounts and ratios of EPA and DHA. Be aware that only about a third of the oil from fish is EPA and DHA, although this may be higher (up to about 85% as EPA and DHA) in a "concentrated" product".
• Second, the ratio of EPA to DHA will vary depending on the source. (For example, menhaden and other small oily fish, tend to have a ratio of EPA to DHA of 1.5:1 so that a capsule claiming 1 gram (1,000 mg) of fish oil, of which 30% is EPA and DHA, provides 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. Salmon oil naturally contains more DHA than EPA (often several times more) and products made only from algal oil will contain only DHA.
• With a more concentrated product, one may be able to take fewer capsules of the same size.
• Many products also contain vitamin E or other antioxidants to stabilize the oils and prevent them from becoming rancid.

How to take fish oil: More...

Numerous well-designed studies have established that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA found in fish oil support cardiovascular health. Now the American Heart Association (AHA) is recommending that Americans boost their consumption of EPA and DHA to support heart health.

The statement published in the AHA journal, Circulation, recommends cutting carbohydrates, eliminating trans fats, restricting fructose and increasing fiber and including omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources to support heart health.

The AHA recommended intakes range from a baseline of .5 to 1 gram up to 2-4 grams daily of EPA and DHA for optimal benefits. Because getting the higher daily recommended amounts is difficult to attain through diet alone, the AHA states that dietary supplements may be needed.

Among omega-3 supplements, fish oil is generally regarded as the best source of both EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. Most algae sources provide only DHA. While ALA from plant sources is an essential fatty acid, many of the reported health benefits associated with omega-3 have been the result of supplementation with EPA and DHA. The body can theoretically convert ALA into EPA and DHA, but the actual conversion rate is very low. In fact, many studies suggest that the conversion rate can be as low as 1 percent or less -- making fish, fish oil supplements, and food products fortified with fish oil considered the best sources of omega-3 for consumers.

NOTE: Typical fish oil supplements are 18% EPA and 12% DHA. CNCA EPAmax and Omega- 3 Max EC provide 720 mg EPA (30%) and 480 mg DHA (20%), or 1200 mg combined. Two of our softgels meet the American Hearth Associations’ baseline recommendation and 4-6 softgels meet the upper range of the AHA recommendations.

For more diet recommendations, read Heart Health: Top 8 Foods and Nutrients.

Source:

Natural Products Insider

Doctors and nurses aren't the only health experts who recommend supplements to their patients. In fact, not by a long shot, according to the Life…supplemented Healthcare Professionals Impact Study of 900 cardiologists, orthopedic specialists and dermatologists, a recent follow-up to a 2009 report, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

Orthopedists were close to unanimous in their support for supplements, with 91 percent recommending them to their patients, followed by cardiologists at 72 percent and dermatologists at 66 percent. Another positive trend among these health professionals: Close to half of them had been taking a supplement at least four years and third for more than a decade.

There was one interesting disconnect in the numbers game, however. Cardiologists and orthopedic specialists didn't necessarily practice what they preached. Only 57 percent of cardiologists (57 percent) followed their own supplementation guidance, while orthopedists were a bit better about doing so at 73 percent. Nevertheless, the numbers flipped for dermatologists as 75 percent took supplements, a 9-point upward swing from their aggregate patient recommendations.

Among the most common supplement-related products used by health professionals:

• Multivitamins
• Omega-3 rich fish oil
• Green tea

Sources:

Nutrition Journal March 3, 2011 Free Full Text Study

EurekAlert March 10, 2011

Nutraceuticals World March 14, 2011

Because our friends at ConsumerLab.com do a great service on behalf of their subscribers and the public to warn consumers about potency and purity -- just two of the many quality issues related to supplements -- we really pay attention when they issue the results of studies, like this latest one that surveyed some 6,000 subscribers about their buying habits.

No surprise, a majority of respondents use multiple supplements, with omega-3 rich fish oil topping the list at 75.7 percent, followed by multivitamins (70.1 percent), vitamin D (56.2 percent), calcium (55.3 percent) and CoQ10 (53 percent).

The biggest surprises among the top 5: Vitamin D supplementation rose by a whopping 52 percent from nearly 37 percent in 2008, while the use of multivitamins fell over that same time from nearly 74 percent. Perhaps, the surge in vitamin D supplementation may be partly explained by the fact that almost 65 percent of seniors (age 75-84) take it.

One more interesting fact we gleaned from the survey: More people are buying their supplements online than they did two years ago by some 14 percent to 46.2 percent, which tells us more of you are feeling comfortable investing the time it takes to do your homework and finding answers to the questions you should be asking every time you consider taking one.

Orlando Sentinel February 1, 2011

San Francisco Chronicle/PRWeb February 1, 2011

Yahoo Health February 4, 2011