Designs for Health's Omega Synergy contains a super premium and synergistic blend of wild deep-sea sourced fish oils and GMO free borage oil because, when it comes to fatty acid supplementation, one should demand synergy and quality. Among the many facts demonstrating the importance of this synergy are that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) can lower the body's natural production of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and EPA keeps GLA metabolism in an anti-inflammatory mode. In addition, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays as many important roles in human health as EPA, with an added benefit to brain function. Therefore, for optimal benefit it makes sense to take these fatty acids together. Many studies also support the benefits of flax seed oil which is included to round out this formula to be a truly comprehensive omega formula.
Unique Features of Designs for Health's Omega Synergy:
• Optimized blend of EPA, DHA, GLA, and Flax Oil
• Molecularly Distilled so certified free of heavy metals and
impurities
• No Rancidity: tested for both peroxide and anisidine values
for optimal freshness!
• Natural Lemon Flavor for patient compliance, with no
burping!
Omega Synergy May Be Helpful For:
Calcification • Inflammation • Osteoporosis • Elevated Triglycerides
Diabetes • Weight Loss • Crohn's Disease • Acne • Depression • PMS • Breast Health • ADHD • Bipolar Disorder • Multiple Sclerosis
Benefits of GLA
GLA, in the form of borage oil can also be used in the treatment of immune weakness, chronic fatigue, high cholesterol, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, PMS, diabetes, skin disorders, dry skin, MS, fatigue. It may help prevent premature aging and autoimmune diseases.
Eczema
Patients with eczema appear to have altered EPA and prostaglandin metabolism. Tests show a tendency for linoleic acid levels to be increased while levels of longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids tend to be relatively low. These changes lead to a greater tendency to allergies and inflammation. Supplementing with EPA provides great benefit for those with eczema, since it reduces inflammation.1
Asthma
Several clinical studies have been shown that children who eat fish more than once a week have one-third the risk of getting asthma as children who do not eat fish regularly. Several other studies show that increasing the intake of omega-3s (through supplementation with fish oils that contain EPA and DHA) offers significant benefits in treating asthma. In particular, improvements in airway responsiveness to allergens have been noted, as well as improvements in respiratory function.1
Rheumatoid arthritis
GLA may reduce inflammation.3
Diabetes
GLA supplementation helps nerve function and helps prevent nerve damage caused by diabetes.2
Cancer
GLA may help stop tumor growth and spread of cancer, particularly in breast cancer and melanoma.4
Eyes
GLA is beneficial in Sjögren's syndrome and may be useful in other dry eye conditions.
Age Related Disease
GLA supplements may help the symptoms of many conditions that occur with aging. It can also reduce the symptoms of alcoholism, atopic dermatitis, and osteoporosis.5
Menstrual problems
Essential fatty acids such as those found in flaxseed, evening primrose, and borage oils reduce inflammation and support hormone production.6
Are there any drug contraindications with taking EFA supplements?
Warfarin or other blood thinners contraindicate EFAs.
Eczema
Patients with eczema appear to have altered EPA and prostaglandin metabolism. Tests show a tendency for linoleic acid levels to be increased while levels of longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids tend to be relatively low. These changes lead to a greater tendency to allergies and inflammation. Supplementing with EPA provides great benefit for those with eczema, since it reduces inflammation. [3]
Asthma
Several clinical studies have been shown that children who eat fish more than once a week have one-third the risk of getting asthma as children who do not eat fish regularly. Several other studies show that increasing the intake of omega-3s (through supplementation with fish oils that contain EPA and DHA) offers significant benefits in treating asthma. In particular, improvements in airway responsiveness to allergens have been noted, as well as improvements in respiratory function. [3]
Cardiovascular disease
EPA’s main function is to lower blood fat levels. The intake of dietary EPA/DHA is enhanced by eating coldwater fish regularly or by taking supplements. Increased intake of EPA/DHA has been shown in numerous studies to lower blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, while raising HDL. Because of it’s lipid lowering effects, along with it’s ability to reduce platelets and clogging, EPA is important in the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease or for anyone with high blood fats or low HDL. EPA/DHA supplementation has been shown to reduce joint stiffness and soreness and to improve flexibility. [3]
Osteoporosis
Fish-oil treatment has been shown to reduce urinary calcium excretion. Urinary calcium and oxalate excretion in recurring, hypercalciuric stone formers has also been significantly reduced with fish-oil treatment. It has been shown in essential fatty acid- deficient animals that severe osteoporosis develops with increased renal and arterial calcification.
In elderly women, supplementation of calcium and GLA plus EPA produced a significant fall in osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline, suggesting a reduction in bone turnover. An increase in femoral bone density, with no change in lumbar spine density, was seen in the GLA plus EPA-supplemented group. Continuing GLA plus EPA supplementation for a period of 18 months showed an increase of 3.1% in lumbar spine density and 4.7% in femoral bone mineral density. [5]
Immune Function:
Studies demonstrate the individual benefits of EPA, DHA, and GLA on immune function, and T Lymphocyte Proliferation in Healthy Older Humans [4]. In 46 healthy subjects between 55 and 75 years of age consumed 9 capsules/day for 12 weeks, of either placebo oil (80:20 mix of palm and sunflower seed oils) or blends of placebo oil with EPA, DHA, and GLA. Results showed 65% lymphocyte proliferation in the tested group and not in the placebo group. This reduction was partially reversed by the fourth week after stopping the supplementation showing consistent supplementation is critical.
Heart Health:
Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids significantly increased systemic arterial compliance in 38 subjects with lipid disorders who received either 3 g/day of EPA+DHA, or a placebo. There was a 36% increase with EPA and a 27% increase with DHA in systemic arterial compliance. Plasma total and very low density lipoprotein triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the omega-3 fatty acid groups compared with the control group. EPA and DHA supplementation also tended to reduce pulse pressure and total vascular resistance. [7]
Omega-3 Acids & 5HTP: Promising Treatments for Autistic Children
Omega-3s and 5HTP are two nutrients gaining attention among researchers as promising treatments for a variety of mental disorders ranging from depression to schizophrenia. Neither has yet been used extensively in the treatment of autism, but both appear to reduce anxiety, hyperactivity, sleep disorders, mood disorders, and other problems commonly seen in autistic individuals. [6]
Which Omega-3 should I take, Flax Oil or Fish Oil?
The most commonly asked question by Omega-3 enthusiasts is “Which Omega-3 should I take?” Both is not a bad idea at all. But if you have to pick one, fish oils (EPA & DHA) are the best bet.
STUDIES AND RESEARCHES
Essential Fatty Acids and Osteoporosis
Study demonstrating GLA/fish oil synergy in osteoporosis, one of the many inflammatory conditions these compounds work so well together to alleviate.
Calcium and phosphorus are 2 minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. Hormone deficiency is one cause of osteoporosis. Other causes include excess corticosteroids, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, immobilization, malignancy, certain genetic disorders and other miscellaneous problems, such as low calcium in the diet. Vitamin D is also essential, since it is important to proper metabolism of calcium. Regular exercise is beneficial in preventing fractures because it improves bone mineralization and density. Fish-oil treatment has been shown to reduce urinary calcium excretion. Urinary calcium and oxalate excretion in recurring, hypercalciuric stone formers has also been significantly reduced with fish-oil treatment. It has been shown in essential fatty acid- deficient animals that severe osteoporosis develops with increased renal and arterial calcification. In animals fed gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in a ratio of 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3, the intestinal calcium absorption increased by 41.5% in the 3:1-supplemented group compared with the control group. Both calcium balance and bone calcium also increased significantly in the 3:1 group compared with the control group. Supplementation with GLA and EPA were effective in inhibiting bone resorption. In elderly women, supplementation of calcium and GLA plus EPA produced a significant fall in osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline, suggesting a reduction in bone turnover. An increase in femoral bone density, with no change in lumbar spine density, was seen in the GLA plus EPA-supplemented group.
Continuing GLA plus EPA supplementation for a period of 18 months showed an increase of 3.1% in lumbar spine density and 4.7% in femoral bone mineral density. Vitamin E is important in preventing cellular lipid peroxidation in cartilage, which is important for maintaining normal bone growth and modeling.
Essential fatty acids and their metabolites have the ability to enhance calcium absorption in the gut and decrease calcium loss. They also have the capability of inhibiting the synthesis and secretion of cytokines, such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a and inhibit nuclear translocation of NF-kB, which seems to play a major role in the pathobiology of osteoporosis. Essential fatty acids and statins may interact, such that osteoblasts may proliferate and osteoclasts may undergo apoptosis. It is noted that essential fatty acids and their metabolites are potent inhibitors of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. “Essential Fatty Acids and Osteoporosis” Das UN, Nutrition, 2000;16:386-390.
Dietary Supplementation With Gamma-Linolenic Acid or Fish Oil Decreases T Lymphocyte Proliferation in Healthy Older Humans
Individual benefits of EPA, DHA, and GLA on immune function.
In 46 healthy subjects who were between 55 and 75 years of age, subjects consumed 9 capsules/day for 12 weeks, which contained either placebo oil (80:20 mix of palm and sunflower seed oils) or blends of placebo oil with oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid, gammalinolenic acid, arachidonic acid or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or fish oil. The subjects consumed 2 g of alpha-linolenic acid or 770 mg of gamma-linolenic acid or 680 mg of arachidonic acid or 720 mg of DHA or 1 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus DHA daily from the capsules. The total fat intake from the capsules was 4 g/day. Fatty acid composition of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly changed in the gammalinolenic acid, arachidonic acid, DHA and fish oil groups. Lymphocyte proliferation was not affected by placebo, alphalinolenic acid, arachidonic acid or DHA. Gamma-linolenic acid and fish oil caused a significant reduction of up to 65% in lymphocyte proliferation. This reduction was partially reversed by the fourth week after stopping the supplementation. None of the treatments affected the production of interleukin-2 or interferon- gamma by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and none of the treatments affected the number or proportion of T or B lymphocytes, helper or cytotoxic T lymphocytes or memory helper T lymphocytes in the circulation. Moderate levels of gamma-linolenic acid or EPA but not of any of the other fatty acids reduced lymphocyte proliferation but not the production of interleukin-2 or interferon-gamma. “Dietary Supplementation With Gamma-Linolenic Acid or Fish Oil Decreases T Lymphocyte Proliferation in Healthy Older Humans,” Thies F, Calder PC, Nebe-von-Caron G, Powell JR, et al, J Nutr, 2001;131:1918-1927.
EPA and DHA's heart health benefits.
The n-3 Fatty Acids Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Increase Systemic Arterial Compliance in Humans
In a study of 38 subjects with lipid disorders, subjects received either 3 g/day of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 3 g/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or placebo in 12, 12 and 14 subjects, respectively, in a 7-week, parallel, double-blind trial. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids significantly increased systemic arterial compliance, whereas consumption of placebo did not. There was a 36% increase with EPA and a 27% increase with DHA in systemic arterial compliance. Plasma total and very low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the omega-3 fatty acid groups compared with the control group. EPA and DHA supplementation also tended to reduce pulse pressure and total vascular resistance. “The n-3 Fatty Acids Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Increase Systemic Arterial Compliance in Humans,” Nestel P, Shige H, Pomeroy S, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2002;76:326-330.
Essential Fatty Acids are Essential to a Healthy Pregnancy: DHA and Pregnancy
During pregnancy, essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) play important roles as precursors of prostaglandins and as structural elements of cell membranes. Throughout gestation, accretion of maternal, placental, and fetal tissue occurs and consequently the LCPUFA requirements of pregnant women and their developing fetuses are high. This is particularly true for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). The ratio of DHA to its status marker, docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6), in maternal plasma phospholipids decreases significantly during pregnancy. This suggests that pregnancy is associated with maternal difficulty in coping with the high demand for DHA. The DHA status of newborn multiplets is significantly lower than that of singletons; the same is true for infants of multigravidas as compared with those of primigravidas and for preterm compared with term neonates. Because the LCPUFA status at birth seems to have a long-term effect, the fetus should receive an adequate supply of LCPUFAs. Data from an international comparative study indicated that, especially for n-3 LCPUFAs, the fetus is dependent on maternal fatty acid intake; maternal supplementation with LCPUFAs, their precursors, or both increased LCPUFA concentrations in maternal and umbilical plasma phospholipids. However, significant competition between the 2 LCPUFA families was observed, which implies that effective supplementation requires a mixture of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (Omega Synergy contains both). Further research is needed to determine whether higher LCPUFA concentrations in plasma phospholipid will have functional benefits for mothers and children.
DHA is Essential for Healthy Brain Development in Infants
The primary fatty acids in human brain are DHA and AA (Arachidonic Acid). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. DHA is also required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults. The inclusion of plentiful DHA in the diet improves learning ability in children, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with deficits in learning. DHA is taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids. The turnover of DHA in the brain is very fast, more so than is generally realized. The visual acuity of healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants is increased when their formula includes DHA.
During the last 50 years, many infants have been fed formula diets lacking DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids. DHA deficiencies are associated with fetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, unipolar depression, aggressive hostility, and adrenoleukodystrophy. Decreases in DHA in the brain are associated with cognitive decline during aging and with onset of sporadic Alzheimer disease. DHA is present in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) and mother's milk. Nature was sure to provide this important fatty acid in mother's milk. It is very unfortunate that it took so long for this extremely important fatty acid to be added to baby formulas. DHA is present at low levels in meat and eggs. EPA, another long-chain n-3 fatty acid, is also present in fatty fish.
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