Chances are good your patients are already familiar with taking omega-3 fatty acids. But whether they are getting enough of them through diet or supplementation is probably open to question.
Some people simply don’t want to consume three meals a week that feature fatty, cold-water fish. Others have been put off from using fish oil supplements because of their heavy dosage requirements, aftertaste or smell. In fact, bad smell and aftertaste are understandable outcomes of fish oil, because even though it provides docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), those essential fatty acids are prone to rancidity. So if that’s the only choice your patients feel they’ve had, it’s understandable they’d suffer from a lack of omega-3s.
Plus, many fish oils are blended from a variety of sources and fish species, so it can be a challenge to know exactly what is in the oil to begin with. And, while krill oil can provide omega-3s, its processing also changes the configuration of the DHA and EPA, twisting far from the bio-identical shape best utilized by your patients.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to oils for omega-3s, one easy to add to any daily regimen and can help your patients overcome their objections to these incredibly valuable nutrients. This supplemental form of omega-3s is bound to beneficial phospholipids rather than to fish oils containing triglycerides.
Fish oil and to a lesser extent, krill oil, have been a standard for omega-3 supplementation for quite a while, so while many patients may not particularly care for oils, it may still be a challenge for them to consider a different form. That is, until they realize the convenience of switching from oils and the refreshing change of pace of not dealing with a fishy aftertaste or “fish burps.”
A more convenient, stable and cleaner form of omega-3s
One way to help your patients build up their omega-3s is with a supplemental form pioneered by French researchers at the University of Nancy. Sourced only from salmon, it is created with a unique process using water and enzymes immediately following the catch. It introduces no intensive heat or harsh solvents that damage or alter the structure of the fatty acids and other beneficial compounds in the fish. This method preserves the naturally occurring wealth of phospholipids and peptides inherent in salmon, too; something other supplemental omega-3s generally can’t offer.1
Because this form is very stable, it virtually guarantees patient compliance; a real bonus for patients who have struggled with taking fish oil because they don’t like fishy-tasting burps or the mouthfeel of liquid oils, or are so hit-and-miss with their supplementation that their fish oil supplements go rancid.
Additionally, the absorption of omega-3s is much better with phospholipids than triglyceride-bound oils as well; it is simply a more natural fit for the body. The dosage levels of this form of omega-3 supplement, because of superior absorption, are low — only two per day. That’s a far cry from traditional oils, and it inevitably leads to better compliance as well.
Better brain health with omega-3s, phospholipids and peptides
The phospholipids that bind and carry the omega-3s in this unique form are valuable for your patients, too. For instance, DHA is typically associated with phosphatidylserine (PS) and EPA is associated with phosphatidylinositol (PI) in the brain.2 And, these connections can make a big difference far beyond bioavailability.
Consider this in-vitro study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry. Researchers pretreated neuronal cells with DHA from this phospholipid-bound omega-3 source for 48 hours before exposing these cells to soluble oligomers of amyloid-beta peptide, which are known to cause the brain cell damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The DHA pretreatment so greatly increased neuronal survival and reduced damage it led the researchers to conclude, “Such neuroprotective effects could be of major interest in the prevention of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.”3
I’m sure your patients would agree that the cognitive benefits alone are an excellent reason to include an omega-3, phospholipid and peptide supplement in their daily regimen. But if they need any more convincing, there is plenty of evidence that omega-3s, phospholipids and peptides are a must for healthy mind:
- An Australian review found DHA improves blood flow in the brain during cognitive tasks, regulates the way the brain uses blood sugars and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.4
- An Italian clinical study examined the effect of omega-3s on quality of life and on depression in elderly female volunteers. After only eight weeks of supplementation, participants reported significant symptom improvements and increased overall life satisfaction.5
- A Portuguese study found the natural layer of phospholipids in the brain is altered by chronic, unpredictable stress (as are glutathione ratios). The researchers concluded phospholipid levels may be used as markers of depression because of the way they physically affect the brain.6
- In similar research at Columbia University, researchers found low DHA levels tended to correspond with increased anxiety levels.7
Peptides are short chains of amino acids and although they are not found in most supplemental sources of omega-3s, they can greatly contribute to overall mental well-being. That’s because components protect delicate blood vessels in the brain by fighting oxidative damage. A scientific study of the peptides found in the phospholipid-bound form of omega-3s reported it reduced anxiety (in an animal model) in 14 days. The researchers discovered it inhibited oxidative damage of neurons (the nerve cells that carry signals in the brain) by 21%.8
While DHA levels have been related to cognitive health and mood for some time, there may be much more direct involvement on the part of this omega-3 fatty acid on cognitive and mood health than was previously understood. Research shows levels of DHA are directly related to a metabolite of the fatty acid called N-Docosahexaenoylethanolamine, or by the more easily remembered name, synaptamide. As its name implies, synaptamide is involved with developing and protecting brain cells. Future studies will determine the exact extent of this, but in the meantime, recommending a source of omega-3s may noticeably bolster your patients’ positive state of mind.9
Omega-3s are a cardio essential
Of course, as important as these brain-related considerations are, cardiovascular health is probably the number one reason your patients initially want to add omega-3s to their regimens. And they have good cause to do so.
Individuals with higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels from fish appear to have better protection against heart disease because they have healthier blood pressure levels, less blood platelet reactivity, lower triglyceride levels and higher high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels as well. They also have reduced inflammatory cytokine activity and healthier heart rates, too.10
Regarding cholesterol balance, one open clinical trial saw dramatic results in very little time. In this study, 40 healthy volunteers took two tablets of phospholipid-bound omega-3 fatty acids per day without any modifications to diet or exercise habits. After 60 days, the participants saw their triglyceride levels drop by 16%, their total cholesterol decrease by 10% and their HDL levels increase by 13%. That is an impressive change in very short order, and one that many of your patients who struggle with cardiovascular issues would appreciate.11
Omega-3s can also help enhance immunity, reduce intraocular pressure in the eyes, maintain delicate blood vessels in the retina, mitigate symptoms of ADHD, reduce menstrual pain and promote brain and vision development in infants and children.12-17
Additionally, research has found omega-3 intake significantly improves disease markers of rheumatoid arthritis and reduces inflammatory leukotriene B4, which left to its own devices, could ultimately destroy joints.18
Omega-3s may also be a helpful weapon in the war against type 2 diabetes; one clinical study found in 12 weeks, omega-3 supplementation improved insulin levels, reduced C-reactive protein levels, increased glutathione and reduced the wound size in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.19
And still other research posits women with a higher omega-3 to omega-6 intake have a lower risk for breast cancer, and for those with the disease, the nutrients can reduce chemotherapy-associated muscle loss and weight gain and promote better insulin levels.20
Final thoughts
Whether part of a cognitive, cardiovascular or daily health protocol, or because you have patients who have tried to keep a regular intake of omega-3s but found it a challenge, you can change their paradigm. Recommending a phospholipid-bound form of omega-3s from salmon provides your patients with the essential nutrients they are missing. Any resistance your patients may have had to adding another supplement to their daily regimen will disappear as their quality of life improves; probably much faster than they would have guessed. And that is the best way to help them overcome any lack of omega-3s.
TERRY LEMEROND is a natural health expert with more than 50 years of experience. He has owned health food stores, founded dietary supplement companies, including EuroMedica®, and formulated more than 400 products. A published author, Lemerond appears on radio, television and is a frequent guest speaker. He can be contacted at info@euromedicausa.com.
References
- Analysis at the Nancy-Universite, INPL-ENSAIA; Laboratoire de Science et Genie Alimentaires, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
- Dyall SC. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the brain: A review of the independent and shared effects of EPA, DPA and DHA. Front Aging Neurosci. 2015;7:52. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25954194/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Florent S, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid prevents neuronal apoptosis induced by soluble amyloid-beta oligomers. J Neurochem. 2006;96(2):385-95. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16300635/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Rice SM, et al. Youth depression alleviation: the Fish Oil Youth Depression Study (YoDA-F): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment trial. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2016;10(4):290-299. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25130262/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Rondanelli M, et al. Long chain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in the treatment of elderly depression: effects on depressive symptoms, on phospholipids fatty acids profile and on health-related quality of life. J Nutr Health Aging. 2011;15(1):37-44. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21267525/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Faria R, et al. Alterations in phospholipidomic profile in the brain of mouse model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable stress. Neuroscience. 2014;273:1-11. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24814727/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Liu JJ, et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status in major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety disorders. J Clin Psychiatry. 2013;74(7):732-8. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23945451/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Belhaj N, et al. Anxiolytic-like effect of a salmon phospholipopeptidic complex composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids and bioactive peptides. Marine Drug. 2013;11:4294-4317. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24177675/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Kim HY, Spector AA. N-Docosahexaenoylethanolamine: A neurotrophic and neuroprotective metabolite of docosahexaenoic acid. Mol Aspects Med. 2018;64:34-44. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29572109/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- von Schacky C. Omega-3 index and cardiovascular health. Nutrients. 2014;6(2):799-814. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24566438/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Arer and Duclaut. Phospholipid-bound omega-3s from salmon: Open clinical trial. Unpublished study, 2006.
- Fish Oils. In: Hendler SS, ed. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Physician’s Desk Reference; 2008:208-214.
- Kendall-Tackett K. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and women’s mental health in the perinatal period and beyond. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2010;55(6):561-567. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20974418/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Rocha Araujo DM, et al. What is the effectiveness of the use of polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-3 in the treatment of depression? Expert Rev Neurother. 2010;10(7):1117-29. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20586692/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Chang JP, et al. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 PUFAs) in Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and Depression: The Missing Link? Cardiovasc Psychiatry Neurol. 2009;2009:725310. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20029628/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Parmentier M, et al. Polar lipids: n-3 PUFA carriers for membranes and brain: Nutritional interest and emerging processes. Oleagineux, Corps Gras, Lipides. 2007;14(3):224-229. https://paperity.org/p/99168046/polar-lipids-n-3-pufa-carriers-for-membranes-and-brain-nutritional-interest-and-emerging. Paperity. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Bourre JM. Roles of unsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3 fatty acids) in the brain at various ages and during aging. J Nutr Health Aging. 2004;8(3):163-174. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15129302/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Gioxari A, et al. Intake of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition. 2018;45:114-124. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28965775/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Soleimani Z, et al. Clinical and metabolic response to flaxseed oil omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Diabetes Complications. 2017;31(9):1394–1400. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28716357/. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Fabian CJ, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for breast cancer prevention and survivorship. Breast Cancer Res. 2015;17(1):62. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25936773/. Accessed April 8, 2024.