Coromega

Heart and Cardiovascular
System Health
The cardiovascular system is a network of veins and arteries, which
circulate blood around the body. The heart, acting as a pump creates
the movement. Blood is pumped into the arteries for delivery to the
cells where it is needed, then drawn back through the veins to the
heart to begin the cycle over again. To maintain a healthy cardiovascular
system, there must not be any hindrance to the free flow of the blood.
Heart and cardiovascular health was the first area investigated
with regard to the health impact of Omega-3 fatty acids. It was noticed
in the early 1970s that the Inuit people of Greenland had a high
fat, high cholesterol diet, yet were able to maintain a healthy heart
and cardiovascular system. Subsequent investigations concluded that
this was due to the high level of Omega-3 fatty acids in their native
diet of fish and marine animals. Since then several other studies,
including two large American studies in 1997 and 1998 have revealed
the same thing: that heart and cardiovascular health is enhanced
among weekly fish eaters when compared to those who ate fish only
infrequently. *
Omega-3 may help increase the flexibility of the red-blood-cell membranes,
thus making the blood less sludgy and more fluid. This not only
helps maintain healthy circulation everywhere in the body, including
the brain, but also may make it easier for the heart to do its
job of continuous pumping.
Numerous studies have found that a diet that includes a serving
of fatty fish, especially those rich in Omega-3, provide a health
benefit to the heart and cardiovascular system. And even a diet that
includes a fish serving only once per week has been shown to provide
this benefit. In a 1998 study of 20,551 male physicians aged 40 to
84 years, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association,
it was found that eating fish at least once a week helped to maintain
a healthy heart and cardiovascular system when compared to those
who only ate fish less than once a month.
Another study published in the same journal in 1995 found similar
results: researchers found that the intake of just one portion
of fatty, Omega-3-rich fish per week helped people maintain a healthy
heart when compared to controls, even after adjusting for age,
smoking, family history of heart attacks, hypertension, diabetes,
obesity, physical activity, education, and cholesterol level. The
researchers believe that consumption of fatty fish, fish oil, or
linolenic acid increases the levels of the Omega-3 fatty acids,
EPA and DHA, in the membranes of the red blood cells, and confers
the healthy heart benefits. This was confirmed by blood samples
taken from the comparative groups.
A healthy diet that includes a serving of fatty fish rich in Omega-3
at least once a week is just one factor that may help a person
maintain a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. It is also
prudent to take other "heart healthy" measures, such
as a diet low in saturated fats and high in fruits and vegetables,
regular exercise, and abstinence from cigarettes and alcohol.
Dosages
The producers of Coromega recommend that children under 4 not take
this product due to the fact that some younger children may aspirate
their food.
Their concerns are due to the oily nature of this product, they
wish to avoid irritation of the lungs or nasal passages which they
feel could result if this product is aspirated.
IF your child CAN eat foods with the consistency of "pudding" then
small amounts may be included in their food. The manufacturer recommends
1/2 packet a day for young children. I personally give my own children
2-3 ( their ages currently range from 7-14 years old) packages each
week for health maintenance.
Mental and Nervous System Health
We’ve all heard fish called "brain food." In fact,
the most polyunsaturated of the Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) makes up
a large portion of the gray matter of the brain. The fat in your
brain is the type that forms cell membranes and plays a vital role
in how our cells function. Neurons in the brain, the cells that transmit
chemical messages, are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. In fact,
there’s more DHA in our neurons than in our red blood cells.
DHA is also found in high quantities in the retina, the light-sensitive
part of the eye. A typical Western diet, however, generally is deficient
in Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA.
Research in the last few years has revealed that diets rich in Omega-3
fatty acids may help promote a healthy emotional balance and positive
mood, and may help us maintain a healthy mental status in later
years. Researchers speculate that a diet rich in the Omega-3 fatty
acid DHA, found in fish oil, may help promote a healthy emotional
balance and positive mood in part because DHA is a main component
of the synaptic membranes in the brain. (American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, Vol. 62, July 1995, pp. 1-9.) Researchers in another
study found that people with a healthy emotional balance and positive
mental outlook tended to have higher levels of DHA in their red
blood cells. (Biol Psychiatry 1998; 43(5): 315-9.)
A Danish team of researchers compared the diets of 5,386 healthy
older individuals and found that the more fish in a person’s
diet, the longer the person was able to maintain a healthy mental
status. (Ann Neurol 1997; 42: 776-82.)
Pregnancy and Neonatal Health
There is accumulating scientific evidence to demonstrate the importance
of Omega-3 in the development of the unborn child in the womb and
the newly born infant. Required throughout pregnancy, the Omega-3
fatty acids are particularly important during the last 3 months and
during early infancy for the proper development of the brain, eyes
and nervous system. Since the unborn baby cannot make its own Omega-3,
its' needs must be met by its' mother. To ensure an adequate supply
of Omega-3, evidence suggests that a women should eat oily fish several
times a week or take a daily fish oil supplement early in pregnancy
or even before conception. Omega-3 supplementation while breast-
feeding results in Omega-3-enriched milk, which passes to the baby.
Researchers at the University of Milan report that infants whose
formula contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially
DHA) have healthier brain development than children who did not receive
DHA in their formula. The observation supports earlier findings that
there is a direct correlation between the DHA concentration in the
red blood cells of infants and their visual acuity. The researchers
recommend that infants who are not breast-fed be fed a DHA-enriched
formula. The researchers report that breast milk already contains
the fatty acids necessary for healthy brain development. (The Lancet,
Vol. 346, September 2, 1995, p. 638.)
Researchers also believe that breast-fed infants may develop higher
intelligence. A meta-analysis of 11 published studies reported in
the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (October, 1999) showed
a 60% gain in intelligence in breast fed infants over those who were
formula-fed, measured by IQ scores. The researchers suggest that
the higher IQs are attributable to the nutritional value of breast
milk, which contains certain Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA. These
Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with brain development and
are not found in most formulas. All the studies the researchers examined
were "retrospective," analyzing the IQ development of babies
who were breast-fed. However, the superior performance of breast-fed
babies could be due to other factors, including the fact that women
who breast-feed their babies tend to be of a higher socioeconomic
class.
The content of the Omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, of women who were pregnant
for the first time and their children was found to be higher than
those who had previously been through 1 to 6 pregnancies. Additionally,
the DHA level in the umbilical cord of first-born infants was found
to be higher than in children whose mothers had been pregnant before.
This study provides evidence that with each subsequent birth, mothers
may need to supplement their reserves of DHA. (European Journal
of Clinical Nutrition, 1997, 51: 548-53.)
Skin Health
We all desire clear, youthful skin that radiates health and vitality.
But, many of us think that healthy skin comes from creams and lotions.
The fact is, the food we eat has a major impact on skin condition.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, protects underlying
tissues, and plays a major role in temperature regulation, immunity
and metabolic functions. The best diet for healthy looking skin emphasizes
plenty of fruits and vegetables, and minimal amounts of saturated
fats (found mostly from animal products). Drinking eight glasses
a day of water (more if you exercise regularly) is also essential
to maintaining skin health.
Omega-3 fatty acids are another component for healthy skin cells,
and daily dietary intake is suggested for optimum skin health.
Around each and every cell in the skin is a membrane that normally
keeps moisture inside the cell. Omega-3 fatty acids form a part
of the skin’s cell membrane, and help keep it moist and strong.
They do this by encouraging the production of strong collagen and
elastin fibers, and may help the skin to look younger for longer.
Research suggests that Omega-3, along with vitamins A, D and E, and
the mineral zinc, may help protect teenage skin from simple acne,
spots, blackheads and whiteheads when combined with other healthy
diet measures such as eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking
sufficient quantities of water (8 glasses per day) and regular
exercise.
Immune System Health
A healthy immune system is one that knows "when to attack,
what to attack, and when to hold back". A few studies have found
that a diet enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids may help you maintain
a healthy immune function. For instance, in cultures of normal human
blood, only blood incubated in the Omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, significantly
decreased the amount of white blood cell surface molecules needed
in the immune response of normal, healthy humans. (American Journal
of Nutrition, 1996, 126: 603-610.)
Joint Health
Omega-3 fatty acids may serve to block some of the body’s
processes that limit joint health and freedom of movement. More than
a dozen studies in the last 10 years have found that a diet with
a more balanced intake of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids may help
maintain healthy joints. Researchers point out that humans evolved
on a diet, which had an approximately 2:1, ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3
fatty acids. Modern diets not only contain a vast excess of Omega-6
fatty acids (50 times more than required), but also have a highly
unfavorable 25:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids. Some researchers
feel that there is now enough evidence to recommend that joint health
can be enhanced through the emphasis of a diet high in Omega-3 fatty
acids as found in fish oil and Omega-3 rich seeds and vegetables,
and through the avoidance of foods rich in Omega-6 fatty acids. (British
Journal of Rheumatology, Vol. 36, May 1997, pp. 513-14 editorial)
Acids
In April, 1999 a Workshop on the Essentiality of and Recommended
Dietary Intakes (RDIs) for Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids was held
at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. The workshop
concluded with the development of specific recommendations for Omega-3
and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy adults and pregnant and lactating
women:

Table 1: Adequate Intakes (AI)* for Adults
Source: Simopoulos, AP, et al., Workshop on the Essentiality of
and Recommended Dietary Intakes for Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids,
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD (April 7-9, 1999).
1. Although the recommendation is for AI, the Working Group felt
that there is enough scientific evidence to also state an upper limit
(UL) for LA of 6.67 g/d based on a 2000 kcal diet or of 3.0% energy.
2. For pregnant and lactating women, ensure 300 mg/day of DHA.
3. Except for dairy products, other foods under natural conditions
do not contain trans-FA. Therefore, the Working Group does not recommend
trans-FA to be in the food supply as a result of hydrogenation of
unsaturated fatty acids or high temperature cooking (reused frying
oils).
4. Saturated fats should not comprise more than 8% of energy.
5. The Working Group recommended that the majority of fatty acids
be obtained from monounsaturates. The total amount of fat in the
diet is determined by the culture and dietary habits of people around
the world (total fat ranges from 15-40% of energy) but with special
attention to the importance of weight control and reduction of obesity
Glossary of Chart Abbreviations
* AI = Adequate Intake. If sufficient scientific evidence is not
available to calculate an Estimated Average Requirement, a reference
intake called an Adequate Intake is used instead of a Recommended
Dietary Allowance. The AI is a value based on experimentally derived
intake levels or approximations of observed mean nutrient intakes
by a group (or groups) of healthy people. The AI for children and
adults is expected to meet or exceed the amount needed to maintain
a defined nutritional state or criterion of adequacy in essentially
all members of a specific healthy population; LA = linoleic acid;
LNA = alpha-linolenic acid; DHA = docosahexaenoic acid; EPA = eicosapentaenoic
acid; TRANS-FA = trans fatty acids; SAT = saturated fatty acids;
MONOs = monounsaturated fatty acids.
Scientific Foundation for The Omega Diet
"One of the few modern diets with a balanced ratio of EFAs
is the traditional diet of the Greek Island of Crete. The unique
health properties of this particular version of the Mediterranean
diet was not known until the 1970s, when international researchers
conducted a health survey of thousands of middle-aged men living
in seven quite different countries, including the United States,
Japan, Italy, and Greece. During the course of the 15-year study,
it became apparent that the men from Crete maintained a better health
status when compared to the men from the other countries. This was
puzzling to the researchers because the Italian men appeared to be
eating a similar diet. There was something unique about the Crete
diet, but at the time, no one knew what it was.
Medical researchers gained new insight into the Crete diet in the
early 1990s when two French scientists observed that the diet was
low in omega-6 fatty acids and relatively high in Omega-3 fatty
acids---paralleling the diet of our early ancestors. To see if
eating a balanced ratio of EFAs was one of the missing keys to
good health, they designed a clinical trial to compare a slightly
modified Crete diet with the standard, low fat heart diet. After
three years, the people on the modified Crete diet had substantially
superior cardiovascular health. (de Lorgeril, MD, Salen, P., Monfaud,
I., Delaye, J. (1997). European Heart Journal 18: 13-18)"
Information about this diet (including recipes, shopping lists, and
a 21 day menu planning guide) may be found in the book The Omega
Diet by Artemis Simopoulos, MD and Jo Robinson (1999: HarperCollins
Publishers, NY, NY) For more information about Omega-3 fatty acids
as well as ordering.
Visit Their Website at http://www.coromega.com,
Email: support@coromega.com or
call toll free at 877-275-3725
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