Wildegeest Foundation
www.WildegeestFoundation.org
 

 Eicosapentanoic Acid (EPA) & Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
AN ESSENTIAL HEALTH  REQUIREMENT FOR  EVERYONE

 “Fish Oil Therapy!” A project started by Wildegeest Foundation in 2006 because of our belief that laissez-faire attitudes towards fats and oils, including fish oils, are damaging the American diet, and denying important benefits.    

 There are at least 8000 published papers, over half in professional journals, that describe the benefits of the two most important omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils (EPA and DHA).

 The evidence keeps building - that our need for EPA and DHA is just as real as our need for Vitamin C, which was denied scurvy-ridden people until the 20^th Century. We must not condone scurvy- ad lib-dishing out of EPA/DHA Benefits.

 Fish Oil Therapy Project (FOTP) - Protocol 

At the start of the four month trial, each volunteer agreed to take a daily dose  of three capsules (3 grams) of a carefully selected Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Oil (total 690 mg. Omega-3  long chain fatty acids  incl. 330  mg. EPA and 300 mg/ DHA. www.vitalchoice.com .

 At the start and end of the four month interval, FOTP volunteers’ blood samples were submitted to OmegaMetrix Laboratory in Kansas City for Omega-3 Index (O3I) determinations.  

Their reliable assay method was needed to monitor the percentages of EPA+DHA = Omega-3 Index (O3I), measured by analysis of the lipids in red blood cells (RBCs). The percent findings, on a 0 to 12% scale are interpreted as a measure of cardiovascular risk. Dr. Harris has  stated that the (O3I) target for everyone should be at least 8%. 

As an unexpected bonus, OmegaMetrix also provided the fatty acid data that was part of (O3I) determinations :- Total Omega-3 fatty acids - Alpha-linolenic acid - EPA - DPA - DHA - Linoleic Acid - Arachidonic Acid, thereby providing important information concerning  Omega-6/Omega-3 and AA/EPA ratios.

 Nine participants completed a Dietary Questionnaire. While this limited sampling could not produce definitive results, there were replies that indicated how lifestyle and food preferences influence (O3I), including fish consumption, salad dressings, store-bought baked goods, and the extent to which the
Protective and Prudent Dietary recommendations  were followed.

Twenty participants, under medical supervision, received an additional estimate of cardiovascular risk, basis NMR LIPOPROFILES www.liposcience.com .  The reports included  LDL Particle No.;(LDL-P)  and Small LDL-P; Lipids : Total Cholesterol, LDL-C, Triglycerides, and other
important information. 

  . Observations Suggested by FOTP 

FOTP has accumulated large amounts of background information, still under  review,  but certain observations are of immediate interest::

1. U. S. Population Deficient in EPA/DHA, Suffers Elevated Omega-6's
Our study demonstrated similar disturbing trends, with only 25% of the participants in the O3I - > 8.0% range and 35% in the  O3I <6% range, and Omega 6/Omega 3 & AA/EPA ratios were elevated  when O3I was low.. 

 2. Will Seafood Twice/Week Satisfy EPA/DHA Requirements?    
There are well-informed  opinions that this is not a reliable  way to assure adequate intake of EPA/DHA, since those who make the worst selections are the  poor, the uneducated, and the  victims of contrived misinformation.   

3. Should Fish Oils be Added to Manufactured Foods?
The addition  of fish oils ( liquid, encapsulated, or other form) into manufactured foods listed by FDA, is a poor and deceptive way to address the EPA/DHA deficiency problem, and is a practice
that wastes suitable sources of EPA and DHA.

 4. Should fish oils be taken without antioxidants?
Fish oils contain  polyunsaturated fats which contain a certain amount of natural antioxidants, or protective measures protect their stability. However, FOTP participants were urged to seriously
consider the American Cancer Society  dietary list of natural antioxidants.

 5. How does Participant Explain  Omega-3 Index = 12.7%?
No fair! Your narrator organized the project and had read a great deal about  how to make fish lipids work.  He decided that the fish oil should be taken before breakfast, the capsules swallowed with the help of buttermilk (emulsifier) and followed by a natural antioxidant  preserve made  from blueberries and prunes.

 REFERENCES 

Emulsification : Gaqraiova, L, et al A randomized cross-over trial in healthy adults indicating improved absorbtion of omega-3 fatty acids by pre- emulsification. Nutrition J., Vol. 6, (4) 2007

Fish Oils Role in Health and Disease :  U. S. Intake has declined over the years. Man evolved on ratio Omega-6/Omega-3 of 1:1, and today the ratio is 10:1, or more, implemented in excess blood clotting, allergic and inflammatory disorders, certain cancers. The average U.S. daily intake  is only 50 mg.EPA and 80 mg. DHA per person. Warns that fish oil supplements should always be stabilized to prevent oxidation and rancidity. . Simopoulos, Artemis. Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and in growing development. Amer. J. Clin.Nut. Vol. 54, 1991, pp.438-463. .

 Natural antoxidants : Talalay directs the Laboratory for Molecular Pharnacy  which in 1992 discovered the health promoting properties of sulforaphane glucosinolate,  the cancer fighting chemical abundant in Brassica family (broccoli). Anft, M., A Nibble of Prevention. Johns Hopkins Magazine, Ap. 2008.

 Oxidative Stress : Because the structural integrity of the membrane depends on the bio-physical properties of the different phospholipid species, the inherent high ability of n-3 fatty acids to oxidize may eventually prevent hemolysis by trapping most of the free radicals and reducing the variety of oxidized
 fatty acids. Laurence, M., et al. Moderate intake of n-3 fatty acids is associated with stable erythrocyte resistance to oxidative stress in hypertriglycerudemic subjects. Amer.J. Clin. Nut. 2001: 74: 449.

 Polyunsaturated Fats, Safe or Not Safe : The most common PUFA’s are linoleic acid, linolenic acid, EPA and DHA.  Linoleic acid has the (n-6) and the others have the (n-3) configuration. Thinks there is safety in <10% caloric intake, but beyond that cautions antioxidants . Some evidence n-6 PUFA’s involved in initiating cancer. Eritsland, J. Safety considerations of  polyunsaturated fatty acids. Amer.J. Clin.Nut, Vol. 71 (suppl) Jan.2000.

Prudent Diet re: Eat Fish Regularly : Authors conclude, even though food tables may show that some lean fish do contain EPA and DHA, for some reason these fish do not increase serum levels of EPA and DHA. Advice needs revision, to apply only to salt water fish (especially salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring). Philbert, et al, Fish intake and serum fatty acid profiles from freshwater fish. J. Clin. Nut.Vol.84, Dec. 2006, pp.1299.

 Prudent Diet re: Other fats Interference : Researchers report that conversion of ALA to DHA in vegans is negligible and similar results applied to meat eaters. Concluded, ALA not effective in increasing DHA levels. Fokkema, M. Et al, Short term supplementation of low-dose gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha linolenic  acid (ALA), or GLA+ALA does not augment LCP omega-3 status of Dutch vegans
 to an appreciable extent. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, Vol. 63, Nov. 2000, pp. 287 to 292.

 Prudent Diet re: Fish Oils Vital to Health : Research over twenty years have shown EPA and DHA are essential elements in humsn nutrition. DHA is a vital component of the phospholipids in cell membranes throughout the body, particularly abundant in the brain, retina, and sperm. Fish oil supplementation significantly lowers overall triglyceride and cholesterol levels without  affecting the level of HDL (“good cholesterol).  Connor, J. Importance of n-3 fatty acids in Health and Disease. Amer. J. Of Clin. Nutrition, Vol. 71 (suppl) Jan. 2000. Pp. 171S-175S.

 U. S. Need for DHA : Inadequate intake of DHA by most Americans , the building block of human brain tissue and the retina. Low levels have been associated with depression, memory loss, dementia, visual problems. DHA  important to fetuses, infants; The DHA content of the infant’s brain triples during the first three months ; the average DHA content of breast milk in the U. S. Is the lowest in the world - most likely because Americans eat so little fish.  Levine, B,  Most frequently asked questions about DHA, Nutrition Today, Vol. 32, Nov/Dec. 1997, pp 248-49.

(Please note that this is an ongoing project.  Please check back later for more details)

 To apply, contact wildegeest@starfishnet.com