Support Omega (120 Caps)

How much fish oil should I take for brain health?

Taking 1,000–2,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil per day may be a good place to start.

What is the fish that these oils come from?

Pacific ocean anchovy.

Will this fish oil make my breath stink?

This formula is considered to be stink-free and burp-free. We combine lemon, lime, and natural tocopherols inside the strong shell to prevent unwanted side effects.

What are EPA and DHA good for?

EPA and DHA are essential fatty acids that are known to help reduce inflammation in humans. Studies have shown that EPA and DHA can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and eicosanoids, and can increase the production of anti-inflammatory molecules, such as lipoxins and resolvins. This helps to reduce inflammation and can improve symptoms associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. Additionally, EPA and DHA have been shown to reduce the activation of immune cells, which can also reduce inflammation.

Omega-3 fatty acids are abundantly found in fatty, oily fish that reside in cold water. Belonging to the class of polyunsaturated fats, fish oil-derived omega-3 fats have been shown to support several aspects of health, including cardiovascular performance, eye health, cognitive function, and inflammation. For example, research shows that patients who supplemented with fish oil for 12 weeks exhibited improved blood flow and reduced triglyceride and pro-inflammatory marker levels [1].

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) – This complex omega-3 fat plays an important role in cardiovascular health. Highlighting its role in cholesterol balance, research shows that patients who supplemented with EPA for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in triglyceride levels [2]. EPA may also support healthy blood pressure levels, as a study has shown that patients with untreated elevated blood pressure who supplemented with EPA and DHA experienced a reduction in systolic blood pressure by 4.51 mmHg [3]. EPA as an omega-3 is also critical for cognitive function, and research shows that patients with low mood who were supplemented with EPA for 12 weeks experienced significant reductions in subjective symptoms of low mood [4].
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – This omega-3 fat plays an integral structural role in nervous system development, and accounts for nearly half of the polyunsaturated fatty acids within your brain and retina. A clinical trial found that toddlers who were born to mothers who supplemented with DHA-rich fish oils exhibited increased mental processing capabilities, compared with toddlers whose mothers did not supplement with fish oils (5). DHA is also involved in neural signaling with the primary sleep hormone melatonin. Research shows that patients who supplemented with DHA-enriched fish oils for six months experienced improved sleep latency, sleep quality, and daily functioning (6). DHA may also support cholesterol balance, as research shows that DHA supplementation for six weeks resulted in an HDL increase of 29% and a beneficial increase in LDL particle size (7).
• Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) – The third most abundant omega-3 derived from fish oil is DPA, which can be converted into EPA and DHA. Since DPA is the precursor fat to mediators of lipid metabolism, called protectins and resolvins, DPA influences inflammation within arteries to support healthy cholesterol levels, target platelet aggregation, and protect the brain. In one study, researchers found that supplementing with DPA was inversely correlated with levels of triglycerides and an important marker of inflammation, known as C-reactive protein [8].

References

1. Rizza S, Tesauro M, Cardillo C, et al. Fish oil supplementation improves endothelial function in normoglycemic offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerosis. 2009;206(2):569-574. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.03.006
2. Cazzola R, Russo-Volpe S, Miles EA, et al. Age- and dose-dependent effects of an eicosapentaenoic acid-rich oil on cardiovascular risk factors in healthy male subjects. Atherosclerosis. 2007;193(1):159-167. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.06.008
3. Miller PE, Van Elswyk M, Alexander DD. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Hypertens. 2014;27(7):885-896. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpu024
4. Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Yassini-Ardakani M, Karamati M, Shariati-Bafghi SE. Eicosapentaenoic acid versus docosahexaenoic acid in mild-to-moderate depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013;23(7):636-644. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.08.003
5. Helland IB, Smith L, Saarem K, Saugstad OD, Drevon CA. Maternal supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children’s IQ at 4 when men get impotence causes signs and treatment years of age. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):e39-e44. doi:10.1542/peds.111.1.e39
6. Hansen AL, Dahl L, Olson G, et al. Fish consumption, sleep, daily functioning, and heart rate variability. J Clin Sleep Med. 2014;10(5):567-575. doi:10.5664/jcsm.3714
7. Mori TA, Burke V, Puddey IB, et al. Purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids have differential effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins, LDL particle size, glucose, and insulin in mildly hyperlipidemic men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(5):1085-1094. doi:10.1093/ajcn/71.5.1085

Skulas-Ray AC, Flock MR, Richter CK, Harris WS, West SG, Kris-Etherton PM. Red Blood Cell Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA n-3) is Inversely Associated with Triglycerides and C-reactive Protein (CRP) in Healthy Adults and Dose-Dependently Increases Following n-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation. Nutrients. 2015;7(8):6390-6404. Published 2015 Aug 4. doi:10.3390/nu7085291