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Omega 3 Fatty Acid News and Research RSS Feed - Omega 3 Fatty Acid News and Research

Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid (EFA), consisting of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Oily fish, including anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and salmon, are the only known natural sources of Omega-3 EPA/DHA. ALA is found in plants, such as flax and chia. It is important to note that only EPA and DHA contribute to the many health benefits associated with Omega-3. While the body can convert ALA into EPA/DHA, it does so very inefficiently (less than one percent), making it impossible to derive Omega-3-related health benefits from plant sources. Furthermore, although Omega-3 EPA/DHA is vital to overall good health, the human body is not able to produce it on its own, so supplementation is required, either by eating oily fish or foods fortified with Omega-3 EPA/DHA, or by taking fish oil supplements.

Prenatal DHA, a product developed for pregnant women to ensure adequate DHA, introduced

5. November 2009 06:40
Nordic Naturals Professional Exclusive Division announces Prenatal DHA, a product developed especially for pregnant women to ensure adequate DHA, an important omega-3 essential fatty acid and a vital nutrient for the new mother and developing baby. [More]

Dietary cholesterol is not a primary factor for coronary heart disease

2. November 2009 05:35
Contrary to the established view, current data suggest that dietary cholesterol is not a primary factor of or causes heart disease - with the possible exception of the genetic forms of familial hypercholesterolemias. For instance, recent clinical trials evaluating the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs on the development of chronic heart failure, diabetes and stroke have yielded disappointing results. [More]

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not improve levels of depression in heart disease patients

26. October 2009 01:27
Contrary to the findings of some studies, new research indicates that augmenting antidepressant therapy with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement does not result in improvement in levels of depression in patients with coronary heart disease, according to a study in the October 21 issue of JAMA. [More]

Increase in omega-3 fatty acid levels can prevent strokes, according to research

3. October 2009 02:19
Research led by Hernan A. Bazan, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, has found that unstable carotid artery plaques - those in danger of rupturing and leading to a stroke - contain more inflammation and significantly less omega-3 fatty acids than asymptomatic plaques. [More]

Patent infringement lawsuit regarding DHA in functional foods ruled in favor of Martek

9. September 2009 02:21
Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq: MATK) announced today that a panel of judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled in Martek's favor in appeal proceedings related to a patent infringement lawsuit between Martek and Lonza, Ltd., Nutrinova Inc. and Nutrinova Nutrition Specialties & Food Ingredients GmbH (collectively "Lonza"). [More]

Posted in: Medical Patent News

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Research study to identify the appropriate amount of DHA required for promoting optimal heart health

1. September 2009 01:54
A team of French scientists have found the dose of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) that is "just right" for preventing cardiovascular disease in healthy men. In a research report appearing in the September 2009 print issue of The FASEB Journal, the scientists show that a 200 mg dose of DHA per day is enough to affect biochemical markers that reliably predict cardiovascular problems, such as those related to aging, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. This study is the first to identify how much DHA is necessary to promote optimal heart health. [More]

Diet rich in fish helps prevent dementia

20. July 2009 00:57
According to experts over 24 million people worldwide are thought to suffer from dementia, and many of these people live in low and middle-income countries. [More]

Posted in: Medical Research News

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Results from trials of DHA in Alzheimer's and age-related cognitive decline

12. July 2009 19:57
Results from two large studies using DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid, were reported today at the Alzheimer's Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD 2009) in Vienna. [More]

Posted in: Drug Trial News

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Omega-3 fatty acids may protect against progression of age-related macular degeneration

18. June 2009 20:36
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon may protect against progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the benefits appear to depend on the stage of disease and whether certain supplements are taken, report researchers at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research (LNVR), Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University. [More]

Posted in: Medical Condition News

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New understanding on how "trans fats" gum up cellular machinery

17. June 2009 05:38
Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in processed foods contain trans fatty acids that interfere with the regulation of blood flow. A new report reveals a new way in which these "trans fats" gum up the cellular machinery that keeps blood moving through arteries and veins. [More]

Diet rich in nuts and olive oil protects against age-related macular degeneration

13. May 2009 03:01
New research has found that a diet which is low in trans fats and regularly includes nuts, olive oil and other foods containing omega-three fatty acids appears to offer some protection from the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD). [More]

Variety of food or lack of puts autistic kids at risk for poor nutrition

4. May 2009 00:43
The strong preference kids with autism have for certain foods places them at risk for nutritional deficiencies because their diets lack sufficient variety, according to research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center at this year's Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Baltimore. [More]

Smoking, hypertension and BMI are the leading preventable risk factors for premature mortality in the U.S.

30. April 2009 01:10
The researchers found that smoking is responsible for 467,000 premature deaths each year, high blood pressure for 395,000, and being overweight for 216,000. The effects of smoking work out to be about one in five deaths in American adults, while high blood pressure is responsible for one in six deaths. [More]

URMC expert informs lupus patients on nutrition myths, realities

30. April 2009 00:04
With May being Lupus Awareness Month, next week University of Rochester Medical Center rheumatologist Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D., will offer a free public talk that sheds light on how sensible eating and fitness habits can help patients better manage the disease. [More]

Walnuts can reduce breast cancer risk

22. April 2009 14:31
Walnut consumption may provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009. [More]

Posted in: Women's Health News

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