Emerging Benefits of Omega-3

With a global worth estimated at$8 billion, the market for Omega 3 fatty acids continues to grow as more scientific evidence bolstering a myriad of potential benefits for health is made public.1 The research being published stresses theimportance of Omega-3 fatty acidsnot only for maintaining overall heart health but also for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, Omega-3 is thought to playa crucial role in improving eye and brain development in the formative years of life (prenatal and early childhood)andin the cognitive brain functions of the elderly.2-4

Emerging studies on Omega-3 fatty acids continue to reveal new benefits that go well beyond supporting heart and brain health. Scientists now believe that the two most important Omega-3 fatty acids— eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—may play a prophylactic role in almost every human disorder.

Emerging Roles of Omega3 fatty acids

Cancer Potential
New evidence from researchsuggestsa role forOmega-3 in the prevention and therapy of certain types of cancers. In Japan, epidemiological studies showed an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in people who shifted from the traditional Japanese diet consisting primarily of fish, to a more westernized diet and lifestyle. Since then, several studies have confirmed an association between the consumption of Omega-3s with a decreased risk of breast, prostate, colon and kidney cancers. Scientists theorize that Omega-3s may actually work to oppose the proliferation of cancer cells, but more research is needed to know just how the components of EPA and DHA work together and which ones play a crucial role. Studies also suggest that Omega-3 supplements may work in synergy with chemotherapeutic drugs to helpreverse the side effects of chemotherapy, as well as prolong patient life.5-7

Potential Protection against Inflammation
Reducing neural inflammation and increasing anti-apoptotic mediators, Omega-3 fatty acids exhibit potential benefits for professional athletesengaged in contact sports where head injuries typically occur. Statistics show that repeated sports-related concussions may result in higher risks of depression and mild cognitive impairment which is a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease. Initial studies conducted by the West Virginia School of Medicine, shows that DHA supplementation may help to reduce the production of amyloid precursor protein (APP) following traumatic brain injuries. It was also seen to reduce bio-markers associated with neural inflammations and cell death (apoptosis).8

The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3s have shown benefits for people who suffer from joint discomforts by reducing joint stiffness and pain, increasing grip strength and improving walking pace in people who have arthritis.In some cases, supplementation is associated with lowered use of anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).9

A number of clinical trials have assessed the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and migraine headaches.10

Potential Immune Booster
Expectant mothers taking 400 mg of DHA were seen to have babies with stronger immune protection against colds than babies of mothers who did not take any DHA supplementation, according to the Journal of Pediatrics. Data from the study shows at one month, babies whose mothers took DHA supplementation were seen to have experienced 26%, 15% and 30% shorter duration of cough, phlegm and wheezing respectively. At six months of age, DHA babies had 20 % shorter duration of suffering from fever, 13% shorter duration with a runny nose, and 54 % shorter duration with breathing difficulties.11

Potential Benefits againstCellular Aging
People diagnosed with heart disease and had high levels of DHA in their blood were seen to have longer telomeres than those with low levels of DHA in their blood. Telomeres are the protective ends of chromosomes. Scientists have long observed the association between the length of telomeres and cellular aging. When telomeres become short, the cell is no longer able to reproduce itself and becomes apoptotic. Shorter telomeres are associated with higher cardiac mortality and other undesirable consequences of aging.12

Omega-3s may help reduce the risk of degenerative muscle loss in the elderly. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) reported a 400 mg daily dose of Omega-3s was seen to increase the rate of muscle protein synthesis, thereby increasing the production of muscle protein. The eight-week study also observed an increase in thesupply of amino acids and insulin in the elderly.13

Potential Mood Stabilizer
A new study published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity reports a reduction of anxiety and inflammation fromOmega-3 supplementation. Cytokines are compounds that promote inflammation. Cytokine production is known to increase with psychological stress. The study, conducted by researchers of Ohio State University, studied stress levels and cytokine levels in a group of young, healthy medical students appearing for their medical exams. Those receiving Omega-3 supplements showed a 20 percent reduction in anxiety compared to the placebo group. The study conductedalso showed a reduction in the level of cytokines in the body, thus showing the potentially positive influence of Omega-3s on anxiety and inflammation.14

Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Look for high-quality Omega-3 manufacturers that have a wide range of source options such as:

• Krill (rich in phospholipids, Omega 3 fatty acids and an antioxidant called astaxanthin), is found abundantly in seawater—up to 30,000 creatures in one cubic meter.
• Algae-sourced Omega 3 fatty acids, an environment-friendly, vegetarian source of Omega-3s.
• Green lipped mussel, an eco-friendly seafood rich in Omega-3s.
• Plant-based sources such as flax seeds that contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are popular but concerns conversion ratio of ALA into DHA and EPA is considered to be poor. However, ongoing research on bio-engineering plant-based sources of Omega-3 from canola and soy is leading to greater, innovative delivery options for Omega-3 manufacturing.

Manufacturing Omega-3 Supplements
In addition to providing your customers with the aforementioned health benefits, adding Omega-3 supplements to your existing product line may improve your bottom line:

• The Omega-3 ingredient market in the U.S. is expected to grow 40 percent between 2010 and 2015.15
• The percentage of adults taking fish oil supplements has soared from 8% in 2006 to 17% in 2011, making Omega-3 one of the most sought-after dietary supplements.16

Contact Omega-3 manufacturers that offer a range of customizable options for GMP-certified manufacturing of high-quality fish oil supplements.

References:

1. Omega-3 Foods and Beverages in the U.S, 3rd Edition,Packaged Facts Projects, June 1, 2011. packagedfacts.com/about/release.asp?id=2000
2. Omega-3 dietary supplements and the risk of cardiovascular events: a systematic review. Clin Cardiol. 2009 Jul;32(7):365-72, PMID: 19609891. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19609891)
3. Cognitive and cardiovascular benefits of docosahexaenoic acid in aging and cognitive decline, Curr Alzheimer Res. 2010 May;7(3):190-6. PMID: 20088810 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20088810
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy, Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Fall; 1(4): 162–169. PMCID: PMC2621042. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2621042/
5. Breast cancer risk and erythrocyte compositions of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in Japanese, Int J Cancer. 2007 Jul 15;121(2):377-85, PMID: 17354239. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17354239)
6. Suppression of tumor growth and metastasis by dietary fish oil combined withvitamins E and C and cisplatin, Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2001;47(1):34-40, PMID: 11221959. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11221959.
7. Omega-3 fatty acids to augment cancer therapy, J Nutr. 2002 Nov;132(11 Suppl):3508S-3512S. PMID: 12421878. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12421878
8. Dietary Supplementation With the Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid in Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurosurgery: February 2011 - Volume 68 - Issue 2 - pp 474-481, doi: 10.1227/NEU.0b013e3181ff692b. journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/Abstract/2011/02000/Dietary_Supplementation_With_the_Omega_3_Fatty.31.aspx
9. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases, J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505. PMID: 12480795. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480795 Ibid.
10. Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Infant Morbidity: Randomized Controlled Trial, Imhoff-Kunsch, et al. Pediatrics 2011; peds.2010-1386. pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/07/28/peds.2010-1386.abstract)
11. Association of marine omega-3 fatty acid levels with telomeric aging in patients with coronary heart disease, JAMA. 2010 Jan 20;303(3):250-7. PMID: 20085953. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20085953.
12. Dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increases the rate of muscle protein synthesis in older adults: a randomized controlled trial Am J Clin Nutr 2011 93:2 402-412; First published online December 15, 2010. ajcn.org/content/93/2/402.long
13. Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: Arandomized controlled trial, Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Jul 19. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 21784145. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21784145
14. Omega-3 Foods and Beverages in the U.S, 3rd Edition, Packaged Facts Projects, June 1, 2011. packagedfacts.com/about/release.asp?id=2000Ibid.
15. Omega-3 Global Product Trends and Opportunities, Packaged Facts, August 2, 2011. packagedfacts.com/about/release.asp?id=2265.
16. Omega-3 Global Product Trends and Opportunities, Packaged Facts, August 2, 2011. packagedfacts.com/about/release.asp?id=2265.