Monograph

Omega-3 fatty acids provide immeasurable health benefits. These compounds can be good for your heart, smart for your brain, healthy for vision, and discourage inflammation. NUTRA Marine Fish Oil is a pure source for essential omega-3 fatty acids (over 70%), offering a strong concentration of EPA and DHA. This rich omega-3 concentration contains extra antioxidants, vitamin E and rosemary, for added lipid oxidation protection. Natural lemon flavor provides a light citrus taste. Available in liquid or gel cap form.
 

Description

NUTRA Marine Fish Oil undergoes a multi-step process, including 1) selection from the best fisheries to obtain deep marine sardine, mackerel, and anchovy fish; 2) extraction and winterization of raw oil to retain more long-chain fatty acids and no saturated fat; 3) deodorization and molecular distillation to remove heavy metals, PCBs, and dioxins. Each batch is third party tested to guarantee that it meets the strictest quality standards for freshness and purity.

Research

Inflammation

Several studies have recognized the significant benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing inflammation, including chronic joint swelling and autoimmune ailments.[1] One study recruited 66 patients with chronic joint inflammation to take omega-3 fats (130 mg/day) or a placebo. Patients taking fish oil found relief from joint tenderness.[2]

Diets high in omega-6 fats (vegetable, sunflower, etc.) can lead to inflammation and various health concerns. Yet, research suggests omega-3 fats can help to counterbalance the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids and reduce inflammatory components.[3] A clinical trial recruited 50 subjects with chronic joint inflammation and a diet high in omega-6 fats (<10 g/day) to take omega-3 fish oil (40 mg/day). Patients taking fish oil found a decrease in joint inflammation.[4]

Cognitive Function

Fish oil contains concentrated amounts of DHA, a vital component of phospholipids that are abundant in the brain. Optimum amounts of DHA are important, as a deficiency can lead to mental decline. Researchers found a six-month administration of fish oil (1.7 g DHA/day, 0.6 g EPA/day), among individuals experiencing a mild cognitive decline, improved brain function.[5]

The effects of fish oil on mental function have been examined in a long-term observational study. Subjects born in 1936 had their cognitive abilities tested in 1947, then again in 2000-2001. Individuals that took fish oil over this duration of time had less cognitive decline than those that did not supplement with fish oil.[6]

Omega-3's can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to alleviate mental stress among men. By taking 7.2 g/day of fish oil, adrenal activity that elicits mental stress was suppressed in male subjects.[7]

Healthy cognition is vital to child development. One study observed fish oil can aid cognitive development in children. The infants' mothers (98 women) took fish oil (2.2 g DHA/day, 1.1 g EPA/day) or a placebo during pregnancy. Researchers assessed every child's cognitive development at 2 ½ years old finding administration of fish oil during pregnancy was beneficial to a child's eye and hand coordination.[8]

Cardiovascular Support

An extensive review of studies concerning the benefits of fish oil on cardiovascular health suggests individuals with heart complications should take fish oil to reduce health risks. One review recommends individuals take 1,000 mg of fish oil to decrease the risk of cardiovascular ailments.[9] Another review recommends 800 mg EPA/day and 1,000 mg DHA/day.[10] Furthermore, taking 2,000 mg to 4,000 mg of fish oil/day can aid cholesterol levels.[11] The American Heart Association recommends one serving of fish per day for individuals with cardiovascular ailments to receive beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

One study examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular function during exercise training. Elite athletes (25 Australian Rules footballers) were recruited during a five-week training to take 6 g/day of DHA or a placebo. The study found fish oil supplementation improved cardio function and decreased cardio risk factors.[12]

C-reactive protein levels can be an indication of systemic inflammation, which leads to cardiovascular ailments. Fish oil (1,000 mg/meal) has been found to lower C-reactive protein levels, as 33 subjects taking 1,000 mg of omega-3s (960 mg/day of EPA, 600 mg/day of DHA) had a reduction in C-reactive protein levels.[13]

Several studies have recognized even modest doses of fish oil (250 mg/day of EPA and DHA) can offer cardiovascular protection. Risk factors associated with cardiovascular complications can be reduced by 36%.[14]

Cholesterol

Sedentary lifestyles and dietary inconsistencies have led to elevated triglyceride levels in many Americans. As part of omega-3 fatty acids' cardiovascular benefits, research has indicated 4,000 mg of omega-3s can lower triglyceride levels by 30%.[15] One such study reviewed the effects of fish oil on weight loss among 324 overweight individuals (20 to 40 years old), finding fish oil decreased triglyceride levels by 30%.[16] More significantly, another study found that taking 4,000 mg (465 mg EPA, 375 mg DHA per capsule) of omega-3s each day can decrease triglyceride levels by 45%.[17] Overall, fish oil has significant results on triglyceride levels and supplementation is well-tolerated to work with conventional cholesterol therapies.[18]

Mood Enhancer

A deficiency in DHA can lead to changes in behavior and mood. One study observed the effects of DHA on mental stress by giving 41 students fish oil (1.5 – 1.8 g DHA/day) or a placebo from the beginning of the fall semester to the middle of final exams. Results indicated norepinephrine concentrations significantly decreased in the DHA group (-31%) suggesting DHA could alleviate mental stress.[19]

Fish oil's mood boosting benefits were reviewed in a twelve-week trial that recruited patients with nervous system degeneration. Results indicated subjects taking fish oil had improvement in their mood, as omega-3 levels increased in the blood.[20]

Eye Health

DHA, found in fish oil, is also a vital component of eye health, as concentrated amounts are found in the retina. One study observed the effects of DHA supplementation in rats with low DHA levels in their retina, which was caused by prolonged light exposure. DHA diminished the formation of hydroxyl radicals and reduced pressure and inflammation in the retina to improve eye health.[21]

Headaches

The benefits of fish oil supplementation may extend to alleviating headaches. One study recruited 27 adolescents with chronic headaches to take fish oil for two months. Subjects reported a significant improvement in headache frequency (87%), duration (74%), and severity (83%), while taking fish oil.[22]

Additional Information – Dosage & Interactions

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take one to six soft gels daily, or one tsp (liquid) with food, or as directed by a physician.

Dosage

Based on high percentage marine lipid concentrate
General Health: 1,000 mg per day; Cholesterol Health: 5,000 mg per day; Inflammation: 3,000 mg per day

Precautions

The maximum safe dosage of this supplement has not been determined for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. As with all supplement regimens, please consult your physician prior to use.

If you have diabetes or bleeding disorders, consult your healthcare professional. Fish oil should supplementation should be stopped prior to surgery.

Drug Interactions

Consult your physician before supplementing with NUTRA Marine Fish Oil if you are taking the following medications.

Blood Thinning Medicine (Warfarin; Dicumarol, etc.)

*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

[1] Simopoulos, AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec; 21(6):495-505.

[2] Kremer, JM, Lawrence, DA, Petrillo, GF, et al. Effects of high-dose fish oil on rheumatoid arthritis after stopping nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Clinical and immune correlates. Arthritis Rheum. 1995 Aug; 38(8):1107-1114.

[3] James, MJ, Cleland, LG. Dietary n-3 fatty acids and therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1997 Oct; 27(2):85-97.

[4] Volker, D, Fitzgerald, P, et al. Efficacy of fish oil concentrate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2000 Oct; 27(10):2343-2346.

[5] Freund-Levi, Y, Eriksdotter-Jonhagen, M, et al. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment in 174 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: OmegAD study: a randomized double-blind trial. Arch Neurol. 2006 Oct; 63(10):1402-1408.

[6] Whalley, LJ, Fox, HC, et al. Cognitive aging, childhood intelligence, and the use of food supplements: possible involvement of n-3 fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Dec; 80(6):1650-1657.

[7] Delarue, J, Matzinger, O, et al. Fish oil prevents the adrenal activation elicited by mental stress in healthy men. Diabetes Metab. 2003 Jun; 29(3):289-295.

[8] Dunstan, JA, Simmer, K, et al. Cognitive assessment of children at age 2(1/2) years after maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2008 Jan; 93(1):F45-50.

[9] Oh, R. Practical applications of fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids) in primary care. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2005; 18(1):28-36.

[10] Anand, RG, Alkadri, M, et al. The role of fish oil in arrhythmia prevention. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2008; 28(2):92-98.

[11] Covington, MB. Omega-3 fatty acids. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Jul; 70(1):133-140.

[12] Buckley, JD, Burgess, S, et al. DHA-rich fish oil lowers heart rate during submaximal exercise in elite Australian Rules footballers. J Sci Med Sport. 2008 Jun.

[13] Bowden RG, Wilson RL, Deike E, Gentile M. Fish oil supplementation lowers C-reactive protein levels independent of triglyceride reduction in patients with end-stage renal disease. Nutr Clin Pract. 2009;24(4):508-512.

[14] Mozaffarian, D. Fish and n-3 fatty acids for the prevention of fatal coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun; 87(6):1991S-1996S.

[15] Skulas-Ray AC, West SG, Davidson MH, Kris-Etherton PM. Omega-3 fatty acid concentrates in the treatment of moderate Hypertriglyceridemia. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 May;9(7):1237-1248.

[16] Gunnarsdottir I, Tomasson H, Kiely M, Martinéz JA, Bandarra NM, Morais MG, Thorsdottir I. Inclusion of fish or fish oil in weight-loss diets for young adults: effects on blood lipids. Int J Obes. 2008 Jul;32(7):1105-1112.

[17] Sadovsky R, Kris-Etherton P. Prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters for the treatment of very high triglycerides. Postgrad Med. 2009 Jul;121(4):145-153.

[18] Eslick GD, Howe PR, Smith C, Priest R, Bensoussan A. Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2009 Jul 24;136(1):4-16.

[19] Hamazaki, T, Itomura, M, et al. Anti-stress effects of DHA. Biofactors. 2000; 13(1-4):41-45.

[20] Da Silva, TM, Munhoz, RP, et al. Depression in Parkinson's disease: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of omega-3 fatty-acid supplementation. J Affect Disord. 2008 May.

[21] Murayama, K, Yoneya, S, et al. Fish oil (polyunsaturated fatty acid) prevents ischemic-induced injury in the mammalian retina. Exp Eye Res. 2002 Jun; 74(6):671-676.

[22] Harel, Z, Gascon, G, et al. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of recurrent migraines in adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2002 Aug; 31(2):154-161.