Sorry for the absence of attention to
my blog. I have been extremely busy taking national board exams, seeking job
opportunities in Manhattan, and getting adjusted to the flow of treating live
patients. I find the topic of fish oil
supplementation very interesting due to the constant state of inflammation that
the American diet causes; as well as, the fact that 100,000 Americans are
hospitalized each year due to the use of NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) and an
estimated 20,000 deaths result from GI bleeding directly caused by the use of
NSAIDs for things such as arthritis.
Fish Oil and
Cardiovascular Disease
One of the most popular supplements in
today’s health scene is fish oil. As
noted in many research studies, supplementation of the marine derived omega-3
fatty acids can have a drastic impact on one’s health status. This is
especially true when it comes to cardiovascular health. A thirty-year follow up
study (Chicago Western Electric Study) found that men who consumed at least 35g
of fish daily were 38% less likely to die of sudden heart attack (MI) and 67%
less likely to die of non-sudden MI. In a study conducted by Zhang, an overall
decrease in the incidence of ischemic heart disease and stroke mortality was
found to be consistent across thirty-six countries. The overall reduction in
cardiovascular disease can be seen in numerous studies conducted in many
different populations. In yet another study, fish intake equating to 5.5g of
omega-3 fatty acids per month resulted in a 50% reduction in the risk of
primary cardiac arrest. This would equate to taking a fish oil
supplement 6-12 days out of the month depending on the quantity of EPA and DHA.
The Physicians’ Health Study recently reported that higher blood levels of
omega-3’s was strongly correlated with a reduction in risk of sudden death in
men with a history of cardiovascular disease. This means, that it can be highly
beneficial for those who have previously been diagnosed with cardiovascular
disease to establish an intake of omega-3 essential fatty acids daily.
Not only has fish oil been
evaluated for cardiovascular disease, but neurological benefits have been
demonstrated as well. In the book Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-inflammatory, the
author cites research studies pertaining to ADHD, dementia, peripheral neuropathy,
diabetes, and diabetic neuropathy. It seems that these essential fatty acids
are useful for many disorders that we face, and supplementation is thoroughly
effective in providing these fatty acids. A general recommendation of 1-3 grams
of omega-3’s per day can be made (with caution in cases which an individual is
on medication that causes blood thinning) to most of the population (2). As a
chiropractic student, I am continually searching for the keys to maintaining a
healthy body. The clinical investigations into fish oil as a
supplement have shown that there are many issues that can be addressed by
adding this natural anti-inflammatory to a daily regimen. In most cases, the
best way to get any nutrient into the body is to eat the whole food. Unfortunately,
avoiding the dangerous contaminants can be expensive since one must buy wild
caught Alaskan salmon to keep the levels of PCB and mercury to a minimum while
maintaining the proper omega-3 quantities. I am always a proponent of eating
rather than supplementing, but there is a strong case to be made for
supplementing fish
oils. Pressurized distillation eliminates harmful contaminants, these
supplements are affordable, and independent lab analysis has shown that even
the less expensive products are pure (2). The most important ingredients in a
high-quality fish
oil are DHA and EPA (for the nerds Eicosapentaenoic
acid and Docosahexaenoic acid).
The higher the quantity of EPA and DHA,
the more potent the fish
oil will be. Remember. . . always keep ANY fish oil supplement in the
refrigerator. In order to optimize our body’s capacity to function, we must
take care of it! This means maintain a positive mental focus, avoid and
eliminate toxins, exercise regularly, eat a healthy well balanced organic diet,
and take excellent care of the nervous system. . .
GET ADJUSTED!
Sources Cited
1.
Kris-Etherton, Penny M., William S. Harris, and Lawence J.
Appel. "AHA Scientific Statement Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty
Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease." American Heart Association. Web.
<http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/23/2/e20.full>.
2.
Maroon, Joseph C., and Jeffrey Bost. Fish Oil: the Natural
Anti-inflammatory. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, 2006. Print.
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